Tulsa will pause new data center construction for 9 months after council vote

Tulsa, Oklahoma, has enacted a nine-month moratorium on new data center construction after a unanimous vote by the City Council. The decision, spearheaded by District 4 Councilor Laura Bellis, was a compromise from her initial request for a year-long pause, following discussions in a committee meeting. Bellis emphasized the need for the planning office to develop recommendations for an official government process. This temporary halt addresses residents' significant concerns about the potential strain on local water and power resources caused by massive data center facilities. Councilors like Phil Lakin (District 8) raised concerns that a longer moratorium could deter businesses that benefit from hyperscale data centers, impacting Tulsa's economic growth. However, District 3 Councilor Jackie Dutton voiced strong opposition to data centers, particularly their placement in underserved communities, arguing that the economic benefits for the city are unproven and the local impact unknown. The moratorium exempts the first and second phases of Project Anthem in east Tulsa and Project Clydesdale in north Tulsa, which is already under construction. The Tulsa Metropolitan Area Planning Commission is scheduled to make a decision on Project Anthem's second construction phase on April 1. This initiative is part of a broader effort by Bellis and the City Council to assess and potentially change the city's zoning code language regarding data center locations, a process expected to take several months. Data center projects in the wider Tulsa area, including Sand Springs, Coweta, and Claremore, have previously faced vocal opposition, including protests and lawsuits, and Project Anthem itself saw a zoning request denial recommendation from city staff.