Little Rock approves data center regulations

Little Rock's governing body unanimously approved a new set of regulations on data centers, an initiative brought forward by Mayor Frank Scott Jr. These regulations, which specify rules for water use, noise, and property setbacks, were considered by the city Board of Directors during a meeting that included public comments and presentations from Google and utility representatives.

Public concerns were voiced regarding the development of data centers, with some residents, like Karen Sykes, arguing that the proposed regulations and the transparency surrounding the Google project were insufficient. Google official Laurel Brown emphasized that the company is in early due-diligence stages for its planned facility at the city's port, and a final decision to build will only occur after all diligence and public reviews are complete.

The new ordinance classifies data centers into three tiers, with Google's planned complex, consisting of five buildings over 280,000 square feet each and requiring more than 100 megawatts, falling into the "hyperscale" category. Hyperscale facilities are restricted to heavy industrial zones and must adhere to strict noise limits and a minimum 900-foot setback from residential properties. The regulations also mandate efficient cooling systems, prohibiting the use of groundwater as the primary cooling source. Central Arkansas Water estimates the Google data center could use 1 million gallons of water daily on average, with peaks up to 4 million gallons.

City Attorney Tom Carpenter confirmed that a 2023 state law, Act 851, prevents the city from banning data centers. Although some city directors, including Capi Peck and Kathy Webb, raised concerns about the initial approval process for the Google project and suggested a moratorium on new data centers, the votes to enact one in Little Rock were not present. A similar moratorium measure for unincorporated Pulaski County also recently failed to pass.