Reno extends its data center moratorium into 2027. Here's what happens next.
The Reno City Council has extended a temporary moratorium on new data center developments until August 2027. This decision, following extensive public comment, allows city staff to draft comprehensive new regulations addressing various impacts including water and energy usage, noise, and community benefits. The extended timeline is intended to ensure thorough consideration of the complex issues and potential state-level legislative actions.
The Reno City Council voted 6-1 on Monday to extend a temporary moratorium on data centers through August 2027. This decision follows an initial 30-day moratorium approved last month, which council members always intended to extend to allow for the adoption of new regulations.
City staff, led by senior planner Lauren Knox, will now develop new regulations covering a wide array of topics, including data centers' water and energy usage, noise impacts, air quality, fire and building safety, and community benefit agreements. This process will incorporate suggestions from the public, regional officials, and groups like the Sierra Club, alongside council member input. Councilmember Naomi Duerr noted 30 issues needing attention.
The extension came after a nine-hour meeting that included more than five hours of public comment, with dozens of community members advocating for stricter scrutiny or a permanent ban on data centers. While some council members, like Brandi Anderson, supported a shorter moratorium, Councilmember Devon Reese proposed the August 2027 timeline, citing the need for adequate time to gather input and observe state legislative developments next year. Union members, however, have voiced opposition to moratoriums due to job losses in construction.
Northern Nevada is attractive to data centers due to its business-friendly tax environment and proximity to California, but opponents highlight environmental concerns and strain on water and power infrastructure. Humboldt County officials in northern Nevada are also considering a data center moratorium. The city has previously approved smaller data centers by Colovore, Oppidan, and Centra, with one approved facility potentially consuming as much power annually as 11,000 to 26,000 homes.