New Albany mayor pushed for pause on data centers
New Albany, Indiana's Mayor Jeff Gahan is pushing the city council to enact a one-year moratorium on new data center construction. The proposed ordinance aims to allow officials to review the environmental and infrastructure impacts of data center development on the city. City Councilperson Elaine Murphy is sponsoring the ordinance, which will be considered at an upcoming public meeting.
New Albany, Indiana, Mayor Jeff Gahan is advocating for a temporary halt on new data center construction. He is urging the city council to approve a moratorium that would allow officials to spend a year studying the potential effects of data center development on local infrastructure and the environment.
City Councilperson Elaine Murphy has agreed to sponsor the proposed ordinance. Murphy emphasized the need for vigilance, stating that "Big corporations are benefiting from tax exemptions for their data centers, and they are profiting hand over fist." She added, "We need to be watchful and make sure there are no negative consequences for the citizens of New Albany."
The ordinance is slated for consideration at an upcoming public meeting.