Henderson City Council introduces moratorium on new data centers
The Henderson City Council introduced Bill No. 3927, which proposes a 180-day moratorium on new data center conditional use permit applications. The temporary ban aims to allow the city to review and update its municipal code regarding data center developments, considering factors like energy and water demands. Mayor Michelle Romero noted the council's desire to gather information quickly, potentially allowing the moratorium to be lifted sooner than 180 days if questions are answered.
The city of Henderson, Nevada, is considering a proposed ordinance, Bill No. 3927, which would implement a 180-day moratorium on new data center conditional use permit applications. This action, introduced at a recent City Council meeting and referred for potential adoption on July 21, would make Henderson the first local government in Southern Nevada to enact such a temporary ban.
The moratorium's purpose is to provide city staff time to conduct a comprehensive review of data center developments, update relevant sections of the Henderson Municipal Code, and assess potential impacts on the community. Key issues for consideration include energy and water consumption, air quality, heat generation, environmental effects, proximity to residential areas, land use compatibility, decommissioning plans, and economic benefits.
Mayor Michelle Romero clarified that the moratorium's duration could be shortened, stating that if the city's questions regarding resource needs and community impact are addressed sooner, the council would not need to wait the full six months. She initiated an amendment to allow for an earlier lifting of the ban. Nevada has seen similar actions, with the Reno City Council extending its data center approval pause through August 2027, and Boulder City's Planning Commission recommending rejection of a data center plan following resident protests. The broader concern across the state, and nationally, revolves around the substantial water and power demands of AI data centers, with NV Energy forecasting significant increases in peak load requirements from proposed facilities.