Council eyes moratorium on AI data centers
The Westerly Town Council is considering a moratorium on AI data centers, driven by concerns over their substantial water and electricity requirements. Councilor Alexandra Healy initiated the discussion, expressing personal opposition due to existing water issues. The council has asked its solicitor to draft language for a temporary moratorium, which would require review by the Planning Board and the council.
The Westerly Town Council is exploring options to regulate potential data center development, including a possible moratorium, despite no current applications. Councilor Alexandra Healy initiated the discussion, citing concerns over the high water and electricity demands of AI data centers, which she believes Westerly cannot afford given existing water issues.
Solicitor William Conley briefed the council on Monday, outlining potential responses. He noted that while two pieces of legislation addressing data centers in the General Assembly did not advance, the town could impose a temporary moratorium to allow time to study and create protective rules and regulations. Conley advised against an outright ban to avoid legal challenges, referencing a successful temporary moratorium on solar projects enacted by Exeter in 2018 that was upheld by the Superior Court.
The council has directed Conley to draft language for a potential moratorium, which would then undergo review by the Planning Board and the council. Additionally, Conley suggested the town could modify its zoning ordinances to restrict where data centers are permitted, require special use permits, implement setbacks, enforce decibel limits, and regulate cooling apparatus to limit water consumption. These measures aim to balance legitimate land use with community protection.