Elkhart Council advances data center, battery storage moratorium
The Elkhart City Council has advanced a proposed one-year moratorium on data centers and battery storage facilities to a second reading. This decision, made unanimously, aims to protect community safety and address concerns regarding water consumption, power usage, and noise.
The Elkhart City Council conducted a first reading for a bill proposing a one-year moratorium on data centers and battery storage facilities within the city limits. The council voted unanimously to move the ordinance to a second reading, emphasizing their commitment to prioritizing community safety.
Elkhart Mayor Rod Robertson expressed support for the council's decision, explaining that the city aims to prevent potential safety issues associated with these developments. He stated that while future requests for such facilities would undergo a due diligence process, no approvals could be granted before December 31, 2027.
Key concerns prompting the proposed moratorium include the environmental impact of water consumption, the strain on the power grid, and noise pollution from data centers and battery storage facilities. The city council is taking proactive measures to investigate these impacts and regulate development.