Pasco County data centers: Commissioners push for 12-month construction freeze

Pasco County, Florida, leaders are responding to widespread community opposition by proposing a 12-month moratorium on new data center construction. The county commissioners are advancing the temporary ban to allow administrators time to study the impact of these facilities on local resources, including water and power supplies, as well as potential health risks to residents and wildlife.

Commission Chair Jack Mariano noted the decision follows extensive feedback from citizens concerned about constant noise, high water usage, and severe flooding risks, particularly from hyperscale facilities. Residents have highlighted that a single such data center using evaporative cooling can draw millions of gallons of water daily, a concern amplified by current water infrastructure limitations and potential depletion of resources. Additionally, residents expressed alarm over building in low-lying areas prone to flooding without proper impact studies.

The proposed moratorium aligns with similar measures already enacted in neighboring Hernando and Citrus counties, joining over a dozen Florida jurisdictions. While Pasco County moves to halt development, other areas of Florida are taking different approaches; Fort Meade commissioners recently granted preliminary approval to a data center project, and state lawmakers passed a bill requiring disclosure of data center documents while restricting their proximity to schools and neighborhoods.

Pasco County commissioners are scheduled to hold a final vote on the 12-month moratorium on July 14, which will include a public meeting for additional resident comments.