Holyoke bans future data centers as Westfield mulls a moratorium
The Holyoke City Council voted to ban all future data centers, leading developer Chestnut River Power and Infrastructure to abandon its project in the city. Neighboring Westfield is now considering its own data center moratorium. Both actions are fueled by concerns over the environmental impact, particularly power and water consumption, of data centers.
Holyoke, Massachusetts, has enacted a ban on all new data center developments, following a 9-4 vote by the City Council to approve a zoning ordinance amendment. The decision comes amidst public concerns over data centers' significant power and water consumption, though one existing high-speed computing center is exempt from the ban.
Benjamin Marshall, representing Chestnut River Power and Infrastructure, a Boston-based developer, confirmed his company will not contest Holyoke's ban. Marshall stated their plans for a 20-megawatt data center aimed to repurpose a vacant mill using Holyoke's clean hydropower, minimizing environmental impact. He expressed that the company did not have enough opportunity to differentiate their project from larger hyperscale campuses that draw more community concern.
Meanwhile, the neighboring city of Westfield is considering its own data center moratorium, with a second public hearing slated for Thursday. Westfield City Councilor and environmental activist Kristen Mello supported Holyoke's action but indicated that Westfield's legal department has advised against a permanent ban, limiting their options to a temporary moratorium.
Chestnut River Power and Infrastructure will now shift its focus to other former manufacturing hubs that offer suitable zoning and infrastructure for data centers, particularly in areas seeking to boost their tax base through such developments.