Harlingen city officials look to extend moratorium on data centers
Harlingen city officials are seeking to extend a 120-day data center moratorium by an additional 60 days to allow more time to study whether the city's infrastructure can support data centers. The current moratorium, approved in May, is set to expire in mid-October. A second vote on the extension, which would last through December, is expected in two weeks.
The Harlingen City Council is considering extending its existing data center moratorium by 60 days, pushing the pause on new development through December. The initial 120-day moratorium, enacted in May, is slated to end in mid-October. City officials require additional time to assess the local infrastructure's capacity to support the significant demands of data centers.
Mayor Pro Tem Daniel Lopez emphasized the necessity of ensuring the city's water, sewer, and electrical systems can handle a new industry with heavy needs. The city has enlisted a contractor to conduct a comprehensive study of these systems, with findings expected within approximately 90 days. This study will guide city leaders in developing appropriate regulations and identifying suitable locations for potential data center projects.
A second vote on the proposed extension is anticipated in two weeks. Currently, there are no specific data center proposals under consideration within Harlingen city limits.