Independence City Council will consider 180-day moratorium on data center, battery projects
The Independence City Council is considering a 180-day moratorium on new data center and battery storage projects. This deliberation follows a contentious approval of a large AI data center for Nebius, which faced significant resident opposition. The council aims to use this pause to examine various issues including zoning, development, and the impact on public welfare.
The Independence City Council is deliberating a 180-day moratorium on new data center and battery energy storage projects within city limits. This consideration follows the contentious approval earlier this year of a 2.1-million-square-foot hyperscale AI data factory for the Dutch company Nebius, which received a 90% tax abatement despite strong resident opposition. The Nebius project, located along Little Blue Parkway and Missouri 78, broke ground in May and includes plans for 1.2 megawatts of natural gas energy production.
The council, which has seen two members who supported the Nebius project lose reelection and a third face a recall election, aims to use the moratorium period, if approved, to examine potential new regulations concerning business, zoning, fire, building, and development issues related to such facilities. They also intend to investigate the impact these facilities may have on the health, safety, and general welfare of citizens. The proposed moratorium would only apply to data centers and battery energy storage systems that have not yet been submitted to, authorized, or approved by the city.