Another Massachusetts city weighs pausing data centers and battery sites
Fitchburg, Massachusetts, is considering implementing a pause on new data center and battery storage projects, mirroring actions in other state communities. This discussion is driven by concerns over resource demands like electricity and water, as well as fire safety. State leaders are also addressing data center impacts through measures like halting tax breaks for developers.
Fitchburg, Massachusetts, is currently considering a pause on new data center and battery-storage projects. The Fitchburg Planning Board is reviewing the issue, with Chair Paula Caron initiating discussions for a possible City Council petition to temporarily halt permits and development, although no formal proposal or timeline has been set.
This move would position Fitchburg alongside other Massachusetts municipalities that have already taken action. In nearby Leominster, the City Council has scheduled a public hearing for September 14 to address two petitions for one-year pauses on data centers and battery storage. Previously, Lowell enacted a data center moratorium in March, and Holyoke implemented an outright ban on such facilities in June.
State-level attention also includes Governor Maura Healey's decision in June to halt state tax breaks for developers until projects can prove they will not increase costs or harm the environment. The widespread scrutiny stems from data centers' significant resource demands, including high electricity consumption comparable to powering 2,000 homes and millions of gallons of water annually, which can elevate local electric rates.
While moratorium critics argue such pauses can hinder investment and tax revenue, supporters believe they provide cities with crucial time to study impacts, update zoning regulations, and establish new rules before fast-growing technologies reshape neighborhoods. Fitchburg's ongoing discussion reflects a broader community desire for more input on these developments.