New Hampshire Senate Bill 439 defeated, preserving local control over data center development
New Hampshire's Senate Bill 439, which would have removed local control over data center development by allowing them "by right" in commercial zones, was defeated by a significant vote in the House. This defeat followed strong public opposition to a proposed data center in Nottingham, New Hampshire, which led to the developer withdrawing the project. Democratic politicians, including gubernatorial candidate Cinde Warmington, are advocating for legislation to restore local power over such developments.
Senate Bill 439, a Republican-backed bill in New Hampshire that sought to allow data centers "by right" in all commercial zones, effectively stripping towns of local control over their development, was decisively defeated in the House. The bill failed with a 304 to 11 vote, effectively killing it for the current biennium after Democrats on the House Municipal and County Government Committee fought to table it.
This legislative action came weeks after significant public outcry in Nottingham, New Hampshire, over a proposed data center. Thousands of residents opposed the project, leading to the town's Planning Board balking and the developer withdrawing, with support from Democratic gubernatorial candidate Cinde Warmington, who has called for a moratorium on data center development.
Governor Kelly Ayotte also released a statement opposing data centers, marking a shift from her previous stance. Despite this defeat, the article warns that SB439 is likely to be reintroduced in 2028 if Republicans maintain their majority, potentially paving the way for large-scale data center developments with high electricity and water consumption, minimal job creation, and environmental impacts.
Democrats plan to work on legislation to restore local control, urging voters to support Democratic candidates in the upcoming elections to prevent similar bills from passing in the future. Representative Stavis, who represents Lebanon's Ward 1 and is a ranking member of the House Municipal and County Government Committee, is mentioned as a key figure in these efforts.