Bow Residents Seek Moratorium on Data Center Development
Bow residents submitted a petition with 826 registered voter signatures seeking a special town meeting on a proposed moratorium that would pause data center permitting and construction for at least a year. The moratorium is intended to allow the town to study potential impacts, including noise, water use, energy demand and waste, as interest grows in converting the former Merrimack Station power plant into a data center.
Representatives of Protect New Hampshire from Data Centers presented the Bow Planning Board with a petition signed by 826 registered voters requesting that the Board of Selectmen call a special town meeting to consider a data center moratorium. The proposed pause would halt permitting and construction for at least one year while the town examines the costs and impacts of a potential server facility at the former Merrimack Station power plant.
Selectman Rep. Kip McDaniel said a statewide policy would provide a more consistent framework, while residents Judith Attori and Sue Moore argued that Bow may need local action because state regulations could move too slowly. Interest in the site follows high-level discussions with an unidentified company and a viability study application by Eversource and Granite Shore Power for an interconnection of up to 350 megawatts. The Planning Board unanimously voted to refine the proposed ordinance and hold a public hearing Dec. 3; further steps could lead to a town vote in March.