St. Louis tightens data center rules
St. Louis has approved new regulations for data centers, setting limits on where the facilities can be built and establishing requirements aimed at reducing their impact on energy, water, and surrounding neighborhoods. The new rules, however, do not apply to the previously approved Armory Innovation District data center project. This legislation addresses concerns about high electricity and water demand.
The St. Louis Board of Aldermen unanimously approved Board Bill 49, implementing new regulations for data centers within the city. These rules establish limits on where such facilities can be constructed and mandate requirements to mitigate their environmental footprint, particularly concerning energy and water consumption, and their impact on nearby communities. Mayor Cara Spencer has expressed support for these new measures.
However, the new zoning regulations will not affect the Armory Innovation District, a significant 120-megawatt data center project planned for Midtown. This project received approval under the city's previous processes and is subject to specific conditions, including noise and heat reduction, a closed-loop water cooling system, and a commitment to source at least 50% of its electricity from renewable sources within five years.
Future data centers in St. Louis will be categorized by size and must adhere to the updated standards for renewable energy, noise, lighting, and other environmental factors. The legislation is the culmination of extensive public hearings and debates, which weighed the potential economic benefits against concerns about data centers' substantial demands for electricity and water, and their effects on residential areas. Alderwoman Anne Schweitzer, the bill's sponsor, characterized the final version as a compromise, aiming to safeguard St. Louis from adverse data center impacts while still allowing their development. She acknowledged the limitations of the zoning rules in protecting residents from potential increases in utility bills.
Before this legislation, St. Louis lacked specific zoning for data centers, treating them similarly to offices or warehouses. The St. Louis NAACP advocated for safeguards to ensure that Black communities share in the economic benefits of the AI and data center industries without disproportionately bearing environmental and infrastructure costs. The ongoing discussion includes separate legislation concerning tax incentives for data centers and the existing tax increment financing district associated with the Armory property.