In New England, towns are using a very old approach to take on data centers
A proposed data center conversion at a 200,000-square-foot warehouse in Nottingham, New Hampshire, drew more than 25,000 petition signatures and intense local opposition over water, ecological, noise and energy concerns. The developer withdrew the proposal, and Nottingham voters later approved a one-year moratorium on data center construction while the town considers permanent zoning restrictions.
Developer Tom Moulton withdrew plans to convert a 200,000-square-foot warehouse in Nottingham into a data center after residents mounted strong opposition, including a petition with more than 25,000 signatures. Residents cited potential water degradation, ecological damage, noise and higher energy costs, while Moulton reported threats and harassment. The Nottingham Planning Board then developed a one-year construction moratorium, which voters approved overwhelmingly in a September special election.
The report also examines broader local efforts to restrict data centers across New England. Rochester, New Hampshire, is considering tighter restrictions, Canterbury has voted to prohibit data centers, and Holyoke, Massachusetts, has banned future facilities. In Bow, New Hampshire, residents are protesting a potential 350-megawatt project at the former Merrimack Station site, where Eversource planned a feasibility study for Granite Shore Power, despite no formal development application having been filed.