Cleveland readies to extend pause on new data centers
Cleveland City Council member Brian Kazy plans to introduce legislation extending the city’s data center moratorium by 90 days. The additional time would allow officials to develop regulations, amid public opposition to energy-intensive hyperscale facilities.
Cleveland City Council is preparing to extend its moratorium on new data centers for another 90 days. Council Member Brian Kazy, chair of the Utilities Committee, said he plans to introduce the legislation after public meetings and tours of two local data centers.
Kazy said the hearings showed strong opposition to hyperscale facilities because of their substantial electricity needs, while distinguishing them from smaller data centers that support internet infrastructure. The moratorium was originally adopted to give City Hall time to draft data center regulations, and the city now says it needs more time to complete that work.