Henderson City Council to consider ordinance pausing data center applications
Henderson City Council is considering a temporary moratorium on data center permit applications to allow time to study potential impacts. This proposal follows regional concerns about data center growth, including a recent project denial in Boulder City due to resident opposition.
Henderson City officials are moving to implement a temporary pause on new data center developments to assess their potential impacts. During a city council meeting on Tuesday, a bill was introduced that would place a moratorium on permit applications for data centers within the city limits. This measure is intended to provide the city's leadership with time to study the effects of these large-scale facilities, which, while bringing jobs and tax revenue, also raise concerns regarding heat generation, water consumption, and energy use.
The proposed action in Henderson comes amidst broader discussions in Southern Nevada about the appropriate location and construction of data centers. Notably, nearby Boulder City recently saw months of public pushback against a proposed data center, with residents organizing protests, attending public meetings, and posting signs. The Boulder City Commission ultimately rejected that project.
If approved, Henderson's bill would not permanently ban data centers but would temporarily halt new permit applications during the review period. The city council is expected to vote on the measure at a future meeting.