Amherst begins discussion on data center ban or regulations
Amherst officials are considering banning new data centers or adopting regulations governing their size, power use and water consumption. The Town Council has referred a proposed ban to the Planning Board and Community Resources Committee, with further discussion scheduled for Nov. 12.
Amherst officials are weighing a prohibition on new data centers against regulations that would limit their size and address electricity, water and noise impacts. The proposed ban, supported by nine of the 13 Town Council members, would apply across all zoning districts and define a data center as a facility whose information-technology and related cooling or power-conditioning equipment requires more than one megawatt.
The proposal has been referred to the Planning Board and Community Resources Committee, where officials questioned how the term should be defined and whether smaller facilities could be allowed by special permit. Planning and economic development director Jeff Bagg said a moratorium could provide 12 to 18 months for research and public discussion, while the hearing is expected to continue Nov. 12. Public commenter Zain Salim urged opposition to large data centers, while some officials favored regulating their impacts rather than imposing a blanket ban.