Palm Beach County Advances Plan That Could Lead to Data Center Moratorium

Palm Beach County commissioners unanimously advanced a proposal on Tuesday that could lead to a moratorium on future large-scale data centers. This decision comes less than 24 hours before the commissioners are scheduled to vote on the controversial "Project Tango AI data center." The 7-0 vote approved advertising a proposed ordinance that would formally define large-scale data centers and initiate a public hearing process for future regulations, but it does not enact an immediate moratorium and would not impact Project Tango.

During the discussion, Commissioner Gregg Weiss suggested focusing on defining these facilities as "large-load users" due to the rapid evolution of technology, stating, "I think the best way to describe it is not as a large-scale data center, but as a large-load user, because it may, in the next couple years, it may look very, very differently."

Project Tango, a proposed AI data center campus located in Loxahatchee, has faced significant opposition from residents who argue it is too large and too close to homes, schools, and rural neighborhoods. Supporters, however, contend the project will create jobs and boost the local economy. A Palm Beach County judge recently denied an emergency request to halt the vote on Project Tango, which is still scheduled for Wednesday's 9:30 hearing.

County commissioners anticipate a large crowd for the upcoming hearing and have opened an overflow meeting location at the Vista Center on Jog Road to accommodate attendees.