Dover data center moratorium ordinance gains steam

A committee of the Dover City Council in Delaware unanimously voted to advance a proposed 18-month moratorium on data center approvals to the full council. The ordinance, championed by Councilwoman Donyale Hall, aims to temporarily halt the review and issuance of permits for new data centers while city officials conduct a comprehensive study of their potential impacts on Dover's electrical infrastructure and other utilities. Hall plans to introduce the finalized ordinance to the City Council by September, emphasizing the need for an informed decision on how data centers fit into Dover's future.

The proposal comes as Dover seeks to understand the implications of data center growth, particularly after Kent County recently passed strict regulations limiting data center locations in unincorporated areas, which could direct more proposals towards Dover. While Hall clarified that the moratorium is not intended to close Dover's doors to data centers, electric director Paul Waddell highlighted the necessity of studying potential strain on the city's power grid.

The article also notes that the Delaware General Assembly passed bills in June regulating data centers, including a requirement for developers to self-supply power for the first ten years. Both Kent and New Castle counties have adopted their own regulations concerning data center placement and impact, with Kent County's new rules including buffer zones, noise limits, and infrastructure impact statements. Residents attending the committee meeting largely supported the proposed pause, citing concerns about overloaded electricity and water systems, while the Kent Economic Partnership advised moving efficiently to avoid signaling that Dover is closed for business.