Village of Bellevue bans data center development for 12 months
The Village of Bellevue board has enacted a 12-month moratorium on data center development following resident concerns. Residents voiced fears over environmental degradation, noise pollution, water supply issues, and electrical bills. The board aims to use this time to develop an ordinance to regulate or prevent future data center construction.
The Village of Bellevue board in Wisconsin has unanimously approved a 12-month moratorium on data center development, following a public hearing where residents expressed significant concerns. Residents voiced fears regarding potential environmental degradation, noise pollution, fossil fuel pollution, water supply issues, and surging electrical bills, urging the board to pass the ban.
Village administrator Benjamin Krumenauer stated that while the moratorium is temporary, it provides the board time to develop a permanent ordinance that could make it illegal to build data centers in the area. This approach mirrors actions taken by nearby municipalities such as the Village of Wrightstown and Manitowoc County. The board's objective is to proactively understand and address the comprehensive impact data center development could have, as there are currently no specific development proposals in Bellevue. The moratorium could potentially be extended for an additional six months after its initial year.