City Council Approves Temporary Moratorium on Data Centers
The Effingham City Council has unanimously adopted a 12-month temporary moratorium on applications and permitting for cryptocurrency mines and data centers within the city limits and its extraterritorial zone. This measure allows the city time to conduct further research into data centers, addressing concerns about pollution and water usage raised by community members.
Effingham city council members voted 5-0 to adopt a temporary 12-month moratorium on applications, permitting, and permit approval for cryptocurrency mines and data centers. The moratorium applies to both the corporate limits and the 1-1/2 mile extraterritorial limits around Effingham.
City Attorney Tracy Willenborg stated the moratorium is intended to allow the city to conduct further research into data centers. Nicholas Tkachuk, representing the Party for Socialism and Liberation, encouraged the Council to adopt the moratorium, citing concerns over potential pollution and water usage.