Citrus County enacts one-year data center moratorium
Citrus County, Florida, has enacted a one-year moratorium on new data center projects following resident concerns over power grid strain and water quality. This decision comes amidst local opposition to a proposed data center in Lecanto.
Citrus County, Florida, has become the first county in the Tampa Bay region to implement a one-year moratorium on all new data center projects. This decision by the county government aims to pause data center development across the area.
The moratorium was passed in response to significant resident pushback, particularly regarding a proposed data center in Lecanto, at County Road 491 and Tram Road. Residents have voiced serious concerns about the potential impact on their electric grid and drinking water quality. Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez highlighted similar issues at a recent EPA hearing, referencing water quality problems in Morgan County, Georgia, which she attributed to data center construction.
While the moratorium addresses community concerns, proponents argue that the county stands to lose thousands of potential jobs and over $100 million in property tax value by halting these developments. The enacted moratorium, however, specifically excludes proposals that have already been submitted.