Boston Data Center Ban Stalls Over Missing Location Data
Boston City Councilor Miniard Culpepper is seeking a citywide ban on new data centers, citing concerns about energy and water consumption. The proposal faces a basic information gap: city officials have confirmed only one facility, operated by Markley Group, even though records indicate at least 14 qualifying data centers in Boston.
Boston City Councilor Miniard Culpepper has proposed designating data centers as a prohibited use across the city’s zoning districts. A hearing is scheduled at Boston City Hall, but officials acknowledge that Boston lacks a dedicated data center permit and a centralized registry, making it difficult to determine which facilities would be covered by a ban.
Markley Group’s 1 Summer Street carrier hotel is the city’s best-known facility, while MassLive identified at least 14 qualifying sites in city emissions reports, including several Verizon facilities. Culpepper cited potential energy and water demands, while researchers emphasized that Boston’s facilities are generally smaller colocation or edge sites rather than hyperscale campuses. The proposal comes as other Massachusetts communities adopt bans, moratoriums or power caps, and as Gov. Maura Healey requires greater disclosure and local approval for data center projects seeking state permits.