Candidate for Pulaski Co. Judge pushes for data center regulation
Pulaski County Judge nominee Wendell Griffin is advocating for the Pulaski County Quorum Court to regulate data centers in unincorporated areas due to concerns about public health, water, electricity, and fire hazards. Concurrently, Senate Resolution 10 is before state lawmakers to amend the Arkansas Data Center Act, potentially introducing state oversight and licensing.
Pulaski County Judge nominee Wendell Griffin is urging the Pulaski County Quorum Court to adopt a resolution to regulate data centers in unincorporated areas of Arkansas. Griffin highlights concerns that the proposed high-intensity digital infrastructure facilities could negatively impact public health, water resources, and the local electricity grid. He proposes that data centers be treated as heavy industrial use facilities, requiring them to be located, designed, and operated to match existing infrastructure.
Griffin also expressed alarm over the potential strain on rural, volunteer fire departments due to known fire hazards, and the impact on available water and aquifers.
Separately, Senate Resolution 10 is slated for consideration by Arkansas lawmakers at the State Capitol. If passed, this resolution would greenlight amendments to the Arkansas Data Center Act, potentially paving the way for state-level oversight, licensing requirements, and compliance costs for data center operations. Katherine Rowley reported for THV11 News on these developments.