Reno extends its data center moratorium into 2027: Here's what happens next

The Reno City Council has voted 6-1 to extend a temporary moratorium on data centers until August 2027. This extension mandates that the pause will remain in effect until new regulations are officially adopted or existing rules are deemed sufficient. The decision followed a previous 30-day moratorium and a lengthy public comment session where numerous community members advocated for stricter oversight, or even an outright ban, on data center developments.

City staff are now tasked with crafting a wide range of new regulations, covering topics such as data centers' water and energy consumption, noise impacts, air quality, fire and building safety, and potential community benefit agreements. These proposals will incorporate suggestions from the public, advocacy groups like the Sierra Club, and council members. Additional ideas discussed include a potential ban on developments based on data center size, independent auditing, and the imposition of new fees on data centers seeking to establish operations in Reno.

The timeline for the moratorium was a key point of contention among council members, with Councilmember Devon Reese proposing the August 2027 extension to ensure ample time for public input and to observe potential actions by the state Legislature. In contrast, Councilmember Brandi Anderson argued for an earlier end date, expressing concerns about abdicating local leadership. Opposition to data centers in Reno has grown significantly, citing environmental concerns and potential strain on the region's water and power infrastructure, despite the construction jobs these projects, like those from Colovore, Oppidan, and Centra, provide.