Cheyenne City Council rejects proposed data center moratorium
The Cheyenne City Council has voted down a proposed 12-month moratorium on data center development within city limits. The ordinance, which also called for a study into data centers' impact on the environment, power grid, electricity rates, and water usage, was defeated in an 8-1 vote after a lengthy public meeting.
Cheyenne City Council members rejected a proposed ordinance that would have enacted a temporary 12-month moratorium on new data center development within city limits. The vote, which concluded after midnight on May 27, saw the ordinance fail on its second reading with an 8-1 vote, with only its sponsor voting in favor.
The proposed moratorium aimed to halt the establishment, construction, or conversion of buildings for data center use, though it would not have affected existing facilities or those already under construction. A key component of the ordinance was a directive for city staff to study the impacts of data centers on the environment, power grid, electricity rates, water usage, and overall public welfare.
Public comment during the marathon meeting was divided, with some residents and labor union workers speaking against the moratorium, citing support for technological advancement and ongoing construction jobs. Others supported the moratorium, arguing it was necessary to gather answers to community concerns regarding data center impacts.