Cambridge City Council looks to limit data center expansion

The Cambridge City Council has unanimously voted to request the city manager's office to investigate potential regulations for data center expansion, citing significant concerns over energy constraints and environmental impacts. Councillor Patty Nolan highlighted the strain on the city's power grid and the substantial water requirements for cooling systems, especially as Cambridge is currently experiencing a Level 3 "Critical" drought. Willa Norvell, a Boston University student and policy intern for Nolan, further emphasized issues such as water supply depletion, noise, air pollution, and increased energy costs during public comment. This proactive approach in Cambridge contrasts with the state's efforts to attract data centers; Governor Maura Healey is advocating for Massachusetts to become an AI engine and has offered tax exemptions for data center development. Meanwhile, a nearby city, Lowell, recently enacted a one-year moratorium on data center expansion after a contentious public meeting involving union members and environmental advocates concerning a facility owned by the Markley Group. Vice Mayor Burhan Azeem, while acknowledging potential benefits of data centers for emergency services and 5G in urban areas, supported the investigation, suggesting smaller data centers could fill vacant commercial spaces. Although Cambridge is already home to data centers operated by Lightpath and Verizon, officials believe the city is unlikely to face the most severe environmental impacts due to its lack of space for large-scale data farms typically found in rural areas. The council's vote underscores a growing trend among local governments to scrutinize data center development due to resource strain.