Leominster puts pause on battery and data centers

The Leominster City Council unanimously enacted a temporary, 10-month moratorium on battery storage systems and data centers on Monday, September 28, following an 8-0 vote. Council President Claire Freda initiated the move due to resident concerns about potential community impacts, aiming to provide the city time to develop comprehensive ordinances for these facilities.

While the moratorium allows Leominster to establish regulations, City Attorney Amy Kwesell noted that state-level streamlined permitting for certain battery storage projects, particularly those exceeding 100 megawatts, could bypass local approval via the Massachusetts Energy Facilities Siting Board. The siting board recently approved a 180-megawatt battery storage project in Oakham despite local opposition. Nexamp, a Boston-based clean energy company with plans for three battery storage projects in Leominster, stated the moratorium would likely delay their plans but reiterated commitment to building in the city.

Concerns driving the moratorium include potential environmental harms from battery storage fires and the significant land, water, and electricity demands of large data centers, which opponents fear could strain the energy grid and raise electricity bills. Separately, Governor Maura Healey recently issued an executive order giving local communities more control over data center projects exceeding 25 megawatts, tying state permits to compliance with local directives. Leominster resident Kayleigha Zawacki expressed relief at the council's decision, emphasizing the need for municipalities to carefully consider new technologies.