City Planning Commission denies data center recommendation in 5-2 vote
The New Orleans City Planning Commission voted 5-2 against recommending that data center requirements be added to the city’s zoning ordinance. Protesters and neighborhood representatives raised concerns about pollution, electricity demand and water use, while commissioners said they needed more information before advancing regulations. The New Orleans City Council will have the final say.
After nearly three hours of discussion and public comment, the New Orleans City Planning Commission voted 5-2 not to recommend adding data center requirements to the city’s zoning ordinance. Commissioners said they lacked sufficient expertise and information about data centers’ potential energy and water consumption and wanted more time to develop an appropriate process.
Opponents, including members of the Party for Socialism and Liberation and the East New Orleans Neighborhood Advisory Commission, argued that data centers could pollute communities, strain the electric grid and consume local water resources. The Planning Commission’s vote does not end the matter; the New Orleans City Council is expected to consider the issue next.