Patterson extends data center moratorium through July 2027
The Patterson City Council unanimously voted to extend a temporary moratorium on new data center construction until July 2027. This decision was influenced by resident concerns about potential impacts on energy, water, and air quality, as well as a city report highlighting heavy demands on public utilities. The city aims to further study these impacts before finding a permanent solution.
The Patterson City Council in California unanimously voted to extend a temporary moratorium on new data center construction until July 15, 2027. This decision follows an initial 45-day moratorium approved last month and aims to allow the city to better understand the potential impacts of data centers on the community.
Residents voiced strong opinions during the council meeting, expressing concerns about the environmental effects, including air and groundwater pollution, in the Central Valley region. They also highlighted issues related to data centers' significant demands on public utilities, particularly water for cooling and energy consumption, and potential noise pollution.
A city report cited these heavy demands as a key reason for the push to extend the moratorium. While the extension provides more time for study, city officials acknowledged they are still in the early stages of finding a permanent solution for data center development in the area. The council's vote was 4-0, with one absence.