Parish Council imposes 90-day moratorium on data center construction - Pelican Post
The Ascension Parish Council imposed a 90-day moratorium on data center construction and postponed consideration of regulations for high-impact development facilities until January 21, 2027. The proposed rules would address electricity costs, potable water use for cooling, and noise, while officials remain divided over whether existing zoning allows data centers.
The Ascension Parish Council in Louisiana imposed a 90-day moratorium on data center construction by acclimation and rescheduled consideration of Ordinance DC-26.01 for Jan. 21, 2027. The ordinance would add high-impact development facility provisions to the parish land development code after earlier delays and reviews by the Planning and Zoning Commission.
The proposed regulations would require data centers to bear increased electricity costs, prohibit potable water for cooling to protect local aquifers, and establish noise controls. Parish President Clint Cointment supported allowing the council to decide the issue but warned that a moratorium could effectively kill development, while council members and the parish attorney disagreed over whether current zoning already permits data centers. Council members also visited the Hut 8 data center in St. Francisville to assess its construction and economic benefits.