More Arkansas Communities Enact Data Center Moratoriums, Restrictions
Multiple Arkansas communities are implementing moratoriums or new restrictions on data center development, including Madison County's three-year moratorium and Fayetteville's enhanced regulations. A statewide non-binding resolution encouraging a moratorium has also been proposed. Meanwhile, Bentaus has acquired over 2,700 acres in Miller County for a new data center project.
Arkansas is seeing an accelerating trend of communities either rejecting or imposing new limits on data center construction. Madison County recently enacted a three-year moratorium on data center projects, joining four other counties that have taken similar measures. This action by Madison County's quorum court, which passed unanimously, makes it the second-longest statewide pause, following Independence County's.
Fayetteville's city council has also advanced, giving approval for additional restrictions on data center development. These new rules will mandate developers to submit extra documentation, adhere to existing wastewater treatment standards, and primarily use battery storage for backup power instead of generators. Any expansion of an existing data center would necessitate an amendment to its city-issued permit.
Amidst these local efforts, Democratic Sen. Fred Love of Little Rock introduced a non-binding interim resolution to the Arkansas Legislative Council, advocating for a statewide moratorium on data center development until state standards are established. The resolution was referred to relevant legislative committees for recommendation. This issue has become prominent in the state's midterm elections, drawing bipartisan opposition despite Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders' reluctance to impose statewide restrictions, citing a focus on protecting clean water and lowering costs for Arkansans.
Separately, a data center project by Dallas-based developer Bentaus, announced in February, is proceeding in Miller County. Bentaus has reportedly acquired over 2,700 acres for the development, though the company has not provided further details on the project's status.