Indianapolis data center moratorium put on hold
A proposal by the Indianapolis City-County Council to enact a data center moratorium until 2028 was put on hold for further review. An amendment was added to clarify the definition of a data center, and the proposal will now return to the Indianapolis Metropolitan Development Commission. If approved, city staff would develop new standards for data centers covering aspects like building height, sound, and waste.
The Indianapolis City-County Council's proposal to implement a moratorium on new data center applications in Indianapolis and Marion County until 2028 was put on hold during a recent meeting. An amendment was introduced to provide a clearer definition of what constitutes a data center under the proposed ban.
The measure will now be sent back to the Indianapolis Metropolitan Development Commission for further consideration. If the moratorium is ultimately approved, city staff, in collaboration with a committee of experts and community members, would develop new standards for data center development. These standards are expected to address concerns such as building heights, physical footprints, noise levels, and electronic waste disposal plans.
The next full meeting of the Metropolitan Development Commission is scheduled for August 19, with the next council meeting on September 14, both to be held at the City-County Building. This local pushback contrasts with the state's approach, where Indiana officials have generally encouraged data center development through tax exemptions and economic incentives. However, local communities in Indiana have expressed significant apprehension regarding the substantial electricity and water demands of data centers, leading nearly a third of the state's 92 counties to implement temporary moratoriums or outright bans.