Indiana public interest groups call for data center moratoriums

Twenty-seven Indiana public interest organizations, spearheaded by the Citizens Action Coalition, are actively urging local governments across the state to implement moratoriums on new data center development. According to Ben Inskeep, program director for the Citizens Action Coalition, Indiana has seen approximately 60 data center companies enter the state with minimal local oversight, leading to growing anxiety about their impacts. The coalition and its partners are advocating for a pause on development to provide local governments with sufficient time to establish comprehensive policies and regulations that safeguard residents. Sam Carpenter, executive director of the Hoosier Environmental Council, another participating organization, emphasized that data centers are resource-intensive, consuming significant amounts of electricity and water, and often relying on natural gas and fossil fuels. She highlighted that many communities lack the necessary information to make informed decisions about these rapid and large-scale developments. Ashley Williams, executive director of Just Transition Northwest Indiana, also joined the call, stressing the importance of community input, particularly in Northwest Indiana, which faces existing environmental and public health concerns. The groups believe that moratoriums are crucial to empower local communities, ensure transparency, and develop protections for current and future residents. Inskeep noted that 13 Indiana counties, including Fulton, Marshall, and Starke, have already enacted data center moratoriums, indicating growing support for such measures across the state.