After months of turmoil, Pulaski County passes sweeping data center rules
Pulaski County, Arkansas, has passed new regulations for large data centers in its unincorporated areas, following months of debate and public opposition. These rules, addressing concerns like noise, water consumption, and fire safety, will apply to AVAIO Digital's proposed $6 billion data center campus in Wrightsville. The county judge has seven days to veto the ordinance before it can take effect.
Pulaski County, Arkansas, has enacted new regulations for large data centers within its unincorporated areas, following nearly five months of intense public debate and advocacy from residents. The Pulaski County Quorum Court passed the comprehensive ordinance on Tuesday, September 22, with an 11-4 vote. Pulaski County Judge Barry Hyde now has seven days to veto the rules, which include provisions addressing noise, fire safety, and water consumption for data center developments.
The new regulations will specifically apply to AVAIO Digital's proposed $6 billion, 1-gigawatt data center campus in the rural Wrightsville community. Justice of the Peace Julie Blackwood confirmed that AVAIO Digital would not be "grandfathered in" and would have to comply with the new rules, indicating that any challenge to the ordinance would be a matter for the courts. Concerns about AVAIO potentially filing a lawsuit against the county for retroactively applying the regulations had previously slowed the legislative process.
The successful passage of the ordinance was met with relief by anti-data center advocates, who have been a consistent presence at Quorum Court meetings. Democratic nominee for Pulaski County Judge, Wendell Griffen, was instrumental in drafting the original ordinance. Several JPs, including co-sponsors Blackwood, Natalie Capps, Rebekah Davis, and Donna Massey, voted in favor, while others like Diane Curry, Aaron Robinson, Paul Elliott, and Douglas House voted against it, some questioning the county's jurisdiction. Supporters believe this ordinance could serve as a model for other counties in Arkansas and beyond that are also grappling with data center development.