As Nottingham Continues to Address Backlash to Data Center Proposal, What Does NH Law Say?
A proposal by entrepreneur Thomas Moulton to build a data center in Nottingham, New Hampshire, was withdrawn after significant local backlash from residents concerned about environmental impact, electricity use, and noise. Despite the withdrawal, residents are continuing their advocacy, prompting the town's planning board to explore options like a moratorium. State-level legislative efforts to define and regulate data centers in New Hampshire have failed.
Entrepreneur Thomas Moulton recently withdrew his application to convert a vacant Nottingham, New Hampshire warehouse into a data center following intense local opposition. The proposal, first presented to the Nottingham planning board in May, sparked a petition that garnered over 25,000 signatures and led to a planned protest and public outcry from residents.
Local activist Kristen Lamb, a member of the town's conservation and master plan update subcommittees, voiced concerns about potential water quality impacts, increased electricity bills, and noise pollution. She argued that the data center would violate the town's existing zoning ordinances and emphasized Nottingham's history of prioritizing natural resource protection.
In parallel, New Hampshire's state legislature addressed the growing issue of data center development. Democratic legislators introduced Senate Bill 439 to define data centers statewide and grant more regulatory authority to local municipalities, with Sen. Debra Altschiller highlighting their disruptive nature. However, an amendment introduced by Republican Sen. Timothy Lang sought to limit local regulation and permit data centers in commercial/industrial zones. The amended bill passed a House committee but ultimately failed in a bipartisan floor vote, meaning no new statewide laws or regulations on data centers were enacted this year. Another Democratic bill to prohibit data centers and study their environmental impact also failed in committee.
Despite Moulton's withdrawal, Lamb and other Nottingham residents remain vigilant, fearing a potential reintroduction of the project or similar proposals. The town's planning board is scheduled to hold a special workshop meeting on June 3 to discuss exploring a moratorium or other measures to prevent industrial developments with significant environmental and community impacts.