Longmont Approves Data Center Restrictions to Safeguard Power and Water
Longmont City Council has voted to approve an ordinance that bans hyperscale data centers. The new rule caps facility energy consumption at 5% of regional grid capacity or 100 megawatts to protect the city's power grid and water supply.
The Longmont City Council in Colorado has approved an ordinance aimed at restricting hyperscale data centers, with a 6-1 vote to cap facility energy consumption. The new measure limits data center power usage to a maximum of 5% of the regional grid capacity or 100 megawatts, whichever is less. City staff indicated that 100 megawatts could power 10,000 to 30,000 homes on a hot day.
This decision positions Longmont among other Colorado communities like Denver and Jefferson County that have implemented similar restrictions on data center construction or operations. The move addresses growing community concerns regarding the strain these facilities place on local resources, particularly the power grid and water supply, and their impact on neighborhoods. A Longmont resident, Diana Chavez, voiced concerns about the significant water usage of large-scale facilities and their irreversible impact on land.