Athens Mayor and Commission votes to extend data center moratorium
News ClipThe Red & Black·Athens, Clarke County, GA·3/4/2026
The Athens-Clarke County Mayor and Commission voted unanimously to extend a moratorium on new data centers in the county until June 5, 2026. This allows the commission more time to review and adopt zoning regulations for data centers. The extension was supported by community members who raised concerns about the impact of data centers on marginalized neighborhoods and the environment, including high water and energy consumption.
moratoriumzoningenvironmental
Gov: Athens-Clarke County Mayor and Commission
The Athens-Clarke County Mayor and Commission voted to extend a moratorium on new data centers to June 5, 2023. They also approved text amendments to the county's zoning code to regulate data centers, including requiring them to be classified as high-impact industrial facilities, using closed-loop cooling systems, and implementing noise barriers. Community members expressed concerns about the environmental and equity impacts of data centers, urging the commission to implement energy audits, renewable energy requirements, and community oversight. The commission tabled some amendments for further review.