Martin County advances proposed data center moratorium
Martin County commissioners unanimously advanced a proposed one-year moratorium on new large-scale data center applications in unincorporated areas. The pause would allow the county to study data centers' potential effects on noise, water use, electricity consumption, wastewater and the environment, with a final public hearing scheduled for Oct. 27.
Martin County commissioners in Florida approved a proposed one-year moratorium on large-scale data center applications at a first reading. The measure would apply only to unincorporated areas and cover facilities with anticipated peak electrical demand of at least 50 megawatts; completed applications submitted before the moratorium takes effect could proceed under existing rules.
The county plans to use the pause to study noise, water consumption, electricity demand, wastewater disposal and environmental impacts. Commissioners Sarah Heard, Edward Campi and J. Blake Capps supported further review, while raising questions about the moratorium's length, the electricity threshold and where future facilities should be located. A second public hearing is scheduled for Oct. 27, after which the moratorium could receive final approval.