San Francisco, Oakland approve 45-day moratoriums on data centers
San Francisco and Oakland approved 45-day moratoriums on new data center development amid resident concerns about utility costs, environmental impacts and limited community benefits. Oakland officials may extend the pause, while California Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed bills regulating data center development.
San Francisco and Oakland officials approved 45-day moratoriums on data center development after residents and community advocates raised concerns about electricity use, rising utility costs, environmental effects and whether the projects would provide meaningful local benefits. The San Francisco Board of Supervisors approved its pause after hearing from residents, while Oakland’s moratorium was proposed by Councilmember Carroll Fife and passed Tuesday night.
Oakland officials will use the pause to study the potential community impacts and may extend it if the review is not complete. The action follows opposition in other Bay Area cities, including Pittsburg, Oakley and Gilroy. Separately, California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed several bills intended to regulate data center development statewide.