Easthampton Planning Board supports 18-month data center moratorium
Easthampton's Planning Board has unanimously supported a draft 18-month moratorium on artificial intelligence (AI) data centers, which will now advance to the City Council. The temporary ban aims to allow the city to develop proper regulations, addressing concerns about utility bills, water use, and environmental damage. This action aligns with similar considerations in other Massachusetts communities and follows a state executive order impacting data center development.
The Easthampton Planning Board has unanimously endorsed a draft 18-month moratorium on artificial intelligence (AI) data centers. This decision, made in conjunction with the City Council ordinance subcommittee, means the proposed ban will now advance to the full City Council for further consideration. Planning Board Vice President James Zarvis expressed strong support, emphasizing the need for better regulation.
This move by Easthampton is part of a broader trend across Massachusetts, with nearby communities like Northampton and Ludlow also exploring similar measures. The Northampton City Council is set to discuss its own potential moratorium soon. The momentum follows Holyoke's recent enactment of a permanent ban on data centers exceeding 12 megawatts and an executive order signed by Governor Maura Healey, which empowers municipalities to reject data centers and paused new applications statewide in June.
If approved by the Easthampton City Council, the moratorium would be incorporated into local zoning ordinances, providing an 18-month period for the city to study and establish comprehensive regulations for data centers. The draft was prepared by Planning Director Allyson Manuel and City Council President Koni Denham. Easthampton City Councilor Kiam Jamrog-McQuaid highlighted widespread citizen concerns, both nationally and locally, regarding potential negative impacts such as increased utility bills, excessive water usage, environmental harm, and noise pollution. The City Council is expected to discuss the moratorium at its next meeting on October 7.