Boston city councilor pitches a citywide data center ban
Boston City Councilor Miniard Culpepper has proposed a zoning amendment to ban new data centers citywide, citing density, land scarcity, and existing infrastructure demands. The proposal, which requires approval from the Boston Zoning Commission, aims to proactively prevent future data center developments. Existing facilities, such as one operated by Markley Group, would be allowed to continue but not expand.
Boston City Councilor Miniard Culpepper has introduced a zoning code amendment to implement a citywide ban on new data centers, encompassing facilities for artificial intelligence, cryptocurrency, and cloud computing. During a recent council meeting, Culpepper articulated that Boston's urban density, scarcity of developable land, and existing demands on infrastructure render large-scale data centers incompatible with the city's strategic direction. This proactive measure seeks to preemptively address potential data center proposals, as Culpepper noted there are currently no new projects underway in Boston.
The proposal follows an executive order from Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey, which grants local cities and towns the authority to make final decisions on allowing large data centers within their communities. Massachusetts communities such as Holyoke, Lowell, Westfield, and Shutesbury have already enacted bans or moratoriums on data centers, with Leominster also considering similar actions.
Nationally, data centers have faced growing opposition over concerns regarding their significant consumption of electricity and water, alongside issues of noise and air pollution. The article references a data center opened in Boston's Downtown Crossing in 1998, operated by the Markley Group, which draws 30 megawatts of electricity. The proposed ban would permit existing data centers, including Markley's, to continue operations but would prohibit any expansion.
For the citywide ban to be enacted, it must receive approval from the Boston Zoning Commission.