Dover council passes data center pause amid concerns

Dover City Council unanimously approved an 18-month moratorium on new data center applications amid concerns about infrastructure capacity and the effect of additional electricity demand on municipal ratepayers. Councilman David Anderson, a co-sponsor, said the city needs more information to determine how development costs would be allocated, while Councilwoman Donyale Hall emphasized the potential burden on residents already struggling with utility and household expenses.

The moratorium will give Dover time to assess whether its infrastructure could support data centers and to develop regulations. Residents also raised concerns about energy demand, water use and environmental impacts at a recent state-led town hall. Dover has not received a formal application, although council members said companies have expressed interest in the area.