Arkansas Advocate: Outside of Little Rock, Arkansas counties and cities move ahead on data center moratoriums
Independence County, Arkansas, has enacted a five-year moratorium on data center development, following similar actions by Russellville, Union, and Carroll counties. This trend reflects growing local government concerns over power and water resources, and a desire for more regulatory oversight. Efforts to pass moratoria in Little Rock and Pulaski County have faced more resistance despite community pushback.
Independence County's quorum court unanimously passed a five-year moratorium on data center construction, making it the latest and longest such pause in Arkansas. This action follows similar six-month and one-year moratoria enacted by Russellville, Union, and Carroll counties. Independence County Justice of the Peace Brad Covington stated that citizens do not want or need data centers, expressing concerns about the county's ability to support their infrastructure needs.
The decision in Independence County was influenced by a recent issue with wind turbine development, where a company secured contracts before a county-wide ban, highlighting a perceived lack of local oversight. This, combined with worries about water and power consumption and limited job creation, prompted the county to act proactively.
While Little Rock and Pulaski County have struggled to pass moratoria despite community opposition, other Arkansas cities and counties have successfully enacted pauses and regulations. Little Rock and Fayetteville have adopted regulations, and Pulaski County and Fort Smith are advancing or discussing similar measures. This trend is noted to be more successful in Republican-dominant areas of Arkansas, aligning with a bipartisan national pushback against data center proliferation.
Independence County Judge Kevin Jeffrey noted that no data center projects are currently planned for his county, but the quorum court's decision was made to allow for