Uncertain environmental impacts prompt DeSoto County to pursue data center moratorium
DeSoto County commissioners unanimously voted to pursue a one-year moratorium on data centers after nearly three hours of public comment expressing concerns about uncertain environmental impacts. This decision comes despite an existing large-scale data center project by DCIP Group already having a rezoning application in progress, which the moratorium would not affect.
DeSoto County commissioners have taken the initial step toward enacting a one-year moratorium on new data center applications, following extensive public opposition. By a unanimous 4-0 vote, commissioners directed the county attorney to draft an ordinance that would prohibit the county from accepting new applications for the coming year. This action was prompted by nearly three hours of public comment highlighting concerns over the uncertain environmental impacts of proposed data center developments.
The proposed moratorium, however, would not apply to projects already in the pipeline, including a large-scale, gas-powered hyperscale data center complex by DCIP Group. The company is seeking to rezone over 800 acres for a project that would span up to 1,300 acres, with an initial 34-acre rezoning already approved in March. Residents like Sarah Hollenhorst have advocated for the rejection of the hyperscale proposal, and speakers at the meeting voiced strong opposition, citing a lack of detailed information regarding water use and environmental effects.
DCIP Group representatives have stated the project would use a "closed-loop" cooling system and aim for reclaimed water, along with acoustic modeling to manage noise. However, CEO Jon Brown was unable to provide specific figures for anticipated daily water use or the exact number of gas turbines, citing the complex and evolving design of their microgrid. This uncertainty has fueled community backlash, with residents demanding facts over assumptions before further approvals are granted.
Commissioners deliberated for 15 minutes before advancing the moratorium proposal, with Commissioner Elton Langford acknowledging that they had listened to residents and understood their concerns about Desoto County's future.