Hayward City Council approves moratorium on data centers
The Hayward City Council approved an urgency ordinance imposing a 45-day moratorium on new data center approvals. The pause will allow the city to study potential impacts on water use, electricity demand, air quality, noise and the environment, amid resident concerns about a STACK facility under construction and two potential 90-megawatt projects.
The Hayward City Council approved a 45-day moratorium on data center approvals on Oct. 20, temporarily halting new development while city officials study effects on water consumption, electricity demand, air quality and noise. The city said a developer is interested in potentially building two 90-megawatt facilities on Arden Road and Corporate Avenue, near four existing data centers.
Residents expressed concerns about rising power and water costs, environmental and health impacts, property values and grid capacity, including impacts from a STACK data center under construction. Another resident argued that existing environmental reviews and local regulations show data centers have not been proven harmful. The council may extend the moratorium to 10 months and 15 days, with a hearing tentatively scheduled for Dec. 1.