Lima puts pause on future data center projects as city evaluates standards
Lima City Council has approved an 18-month moratorium on future data center projects within city limits. This pause will allow the city administration to develop new guidelines and standards concerning locations, water capacity, and electric demand for data centers. An existing Google data center project is not affected by this moratorium.
The Lima City Council has enacted an 18-month moratorium on any new data center developments within the city. This decision aims to provide the city administration with time to establish comprehensive guidelines regarding the location, water capacity, and electric demand for future data centers.
Mayor Sharita Smith emphasized the need for the city to be prepared for potential data center development requests, citing the evolving state and federal policies. She stated that the moratorium would enable various city departments to research the potential impacts of data centers and present recommendations to the council. Officials also highlighted the priority of residential water supply, ensuring that sufficient resources remain available to the community.
It was clarified by city officials that the moratorium specifically applies to future developments and does not impact the Google data center project, which is already under construction within the city.