Wendell Griffen not giving up on moratorium proposal
Wendell Griffen, a Democratic candidate for Pulaski County judge, is actively advocating for a 12-month moratorium on data center development in Pulaski County, Arkansas. He argues for more transparency and serious consideration of potential impacts on infrastructure, water, and electricity. The Pulaski County Quorum Court has repeatedly considered the proposal but postponed a vote on the proposed moratorium until July 14 to hear from an expert.
Wendell Griffen, the Democratic candidate for Pulaski County judge, has been strongly advocating for a 12-month moratorium on data center construction within Pulaski County, Arkansas. Speaking at a press conference, Griffen urged county officials to pause development, citing significant potential impacts on community resources such as the electrical grid, fresh water supply, wastewater treatment, and emergency services. He criticized the lack of transparency surrounding proposed projects, including a $6 billion data center by AVAIO in the Wrightsville area, and called for the Quorum Court to take a more active role in regulation.
The Pulaski County Quorum Court has deliberated Griffen's moratorium proposal on several occasions, but it has yet to pass. Most recently, a vote on the proposed moratorium was postponed until July 14 during a Quorum Court agenda meeting. The stated reason for the delay was to allow time for officials to consult with an expert on data centers, a justification Griffen dismissed, asserting that justices of the peace have had ample time for research. Justice of the Peace Tina Ward, whose district encompasses the proposed Wrightsville data center site, expressed frustration during the meeting that her colleagues were not adequately addressing the issue, echoing her constituents' concerns.
Griffen hopes to push his ordinances and resolutions for a moratorium onto the Quorum Court's June 23 meeting agenda, but this would require a two-thirds vote to suspend rules, a threshold they have not met in previous attempts. He continues to press for a temporary halt on approving and permitting data center projects until a thorough public discussion can occur regarding their broad infrastructural and environmental implications.