Richmond Extends Data Center Moratorium Nearly Two Years
Richmond City Council unanimously extended the city’s temporary ban on new data centers from 45 days to nearly two years. The city has no data centers or pending applications, and officials will use the moratorium to study potential impacts, including water use, electricity demand, generator emissions and noise.
The Richmond City Council unanimously added 22 months and 15 days to a temporary moratorium on new data centers, extending the ban to roughly two years. The city has no existing data centers and no pending applications, making the action a precautionary measure rather than a response to a specific project. Applications may still be accepted and processed during the moratorium, but the city cannot approve them or issue related permits.
City staff, led by planning manager Avery Stark, are studying potential effects on public health, utilities and surrounding communities and have interviewed PG&E and the East Bay Municipal Utility District. Councilmember Claudia Jimenez and local residents supported establishing regulations before development begins, while Communities for a Better Environment co-legal director Shauna Lazero endorsed the moratorium and its community-engagement process. Concerns include cooling-water consumption, electrical-grid pressure, higher power rates, diesel-generator pollution and persistent noise.