Data center moratorium stays on track, less than a month from becoming reality
Pasco County, Florida, is advancing towards a one-year moratorium on data center applications, with residents expressing strong opposition due to concerns about water and energy usage, and environmental impacts. The Board of County Commissioners held a public hearing, reaffirming its intent to pause new applications, despite a data center developer's request for an exemption. A final adoption hearing is scheduled for July 14 in Dade City.
Pasco County, Florida, is moving forward with a proposed one-year moratorium on data center applications, following a public hearing where the Board of County Commissioners expressed agreement with residents' concerns. This marks the first of two required public hearings for an ordinance to pause applications for data centers and other "large load customers," with the final adoption hearing scheduled for July 14 in Dade City.
Residents from communities like Trinity, Port Richey, and New Port Richey voiced strong, unanimous opposition, primarily citing data centers' significant impact on water and energy use, potential increases in consumer costs, and environmental damage. Speakers like Amanda Swanson and Kimberly Cox highlighted worries about brown well water, diesel generator exhaust, cooling tower hum, and the strain on the Floridan aquifer, as emphasized by Paxton Gray. Registered nurse Doris Carroll urged commissioners to mandate formal health impact assessments.
David Miltenberger of Stellaris Data Centers sought an exemption from the moratorium for a proposed 19.9-megawatt facility in the Double Branch development. He argued his 200,000-square-foot facility would employ a "closed-loop" cooling system, requiring no local water for cooling and only 200,000 gallons annually for restrooms, comparable to a coffee shop. Miltenberger suggested an exemption for small, low-water data centers or a pilot program.
However, residents largely rejected Miltenberger's proposal, questioning the disposal of cooling chemicals and the potential for future expansion. Development Director David Engel confirmed that the county does not currently permit data centers of any size and that any adopted ordinance would not exempt Miltenberger's project. While some residents advocated for a permanent moratorium, County Attorney Jeffrey Stensnyder advised that permanent bans could lead to legal challenges. Attendees applauded the decision to proceed with a one-year moratorium.