San Antonio city council leans toward data center regulation, but a moratorium seems less likely
The San Antonio City Council discussed potential regulations for data centers amidst resident concerns over water, power usage, noise, and air quality. While a moratorium was considered, the council appeared to favor regulation through city code changes, which could include zoning restrictions and setback requirements from residential areas or schools. A vote on these code changes is anticipated in October.
The San Antonio City Council held a discussion regarding the regulation of data centers within the city, a topic that has generated significant concern among residents. Council members reported hearing complaints ranging from the substantial water and power consumption of these facilities to potential noise pollution and air quality issues stemming from on-site power generation.
City staff currently estimates there are nearly two dozen data centers operating in San Antonio. Councilman Rick Galvan has been a key advocate for both regulation and the consideration of a moratorium. He emphasized that his goal is not to block all future data centers, but to ensure that each proposed project undergoes transparent community meetings, provides clarity on long-term site development, and receives city council approval after addressing community and developer adjustments.
While some council members suggested a temporary moratorium, city staff indicated such a measure could only last 180 days and would take longer to implement than city code changes. By the end of the discussion, the council largely leaned towards implementing new regulations through city code, which could include restrictions on where data centers can be built, such as specific zoning areas or requiring a minimum 500-foot distance from schools or residential zones. A vote on these proposed code changes is expected in October. The issue is not unique to San Antonio, with Governor Greg Abbott recently announcing a statewide moratorium on new data center approvals to allow regulatory agencies to audit connections to the state's electric grid, and state legislative discussions anticipated in January.