Oakland City Council approves 45-day moratorium on data centers
The Oakland City Council unanimously approved a 45-day moratorium on approving data centers, temporarily blocking land-use agreements and entitlements while city staff study potential regulations and impacts. The measure follows opposition to Behring Co.'s proposed 20,000-square-foot data center and concerns about electricity, water use, pollution, noise and other environmental effects.
The Oakland City Council unanimously approved a 45-day moratorium preventing the city from approving land-use agreements or entitlements for new data centers. Introduced by Councilmember Carroll Fife, the pause will allow the Oakland Planning & Building Department to develop a work plan, engage the community and assess potential regulations addressing energy and water consumption, backup generators, battery storage, noise and other environmental impacts. The moratorium may be extended for another 45 days.
The action followed Behring Co.'s proposal to convert about 20,000 square feet at 415 20th St. into a data center. Supporters rallied outside City Hall and cited concerns about resource consumption and pollution, while mayoral candidate Mindy Pechenuk criticized the moratorium as unnecessary and costly. City officials are also reviewing approaches used by other California cities as Oakland considers longer-term rules for data center development.