Push for a data center moratorium in St. Joseph County
Five Republican St. Joseph County Council members and candidates are proposing a two-year moratorium on new data center developments. The pause is intended to allow the county to assess the impact of two existing hyperscale projects before approving more. Concerns cited include water use, electricity demand, and land use.
Five Republican St. Joseph County Council members and candidates are advocating for a two-year moratorium on new data center construction within St. Joseph County, Indiana. The proposed pause aims to provide the county with sufficient time to evaluate the full impacts of two existing hyperscale data center projects already underway before considering further developments.
St. Joseph County Council member Amy Drake expressed widespread community concern, stating, "We have a lot of people super worried about when the next one's coming because we haven't seen how these other two are going to impact us." Supporters of the moratorium are primarily concerned about the significant water and electricity consumption of data centers, as well as land use implications. The proposal requires initial review and a public hearing by the Area Plan Commission before needing five votes from the County Council following November's election to advance.