Fresno leaders consider 10-year ban on data centers
The Fresno City Council is set to discuss a proposed 10-year ban on new data centers, driven by concerns over water and electricity consumption, land use, and limited job creation. Mayor Jerry Dyer and Councilmember Miguel Arias support the ban, with the Mayor also planning a separate development code change to restrict data centers.
The Fresno City Council is poised to debate a proposal to enact a 10-year moratorium on new data center developments within the city. The resolution, introduced by Councilmember Nick Richardson, aims to halt what local leaders describe as energy- and water-intensive facilities that offer few local jobs.
Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer has voiced strong support for the ban, stating that data centers are not the best use of the city's land and resources, citing their high consumption of water and electricity and their impact on the local grid. Councilmember Miguel Arias also backs the ban but expressed concerns about the resolution's implementation timeline and a lack of transparency, including potential non-disclosure agreements between the city and data center companies. Mayor Dyer, however, denies any discussions with data center companies.
In a parallel effort, Mayor Dyer is working on a separate development code change to define and ban data centers, which he intends to present to the City Council in December. This initiative further underscores the city's commitment to preventing these facilities from consuming vital electricity and water resources that could be used for other community needs.