Bipartisan calls grow for temporary statewide ban on new data centers in Connecticut
Bipartisan Connecticut lawmakers are calling for a temporary statewide moratorium on new data center development, citing concerns about electricity, water use, noise and community impacts. Several municipalities, including East Lyme, have already adopted or are considering local bans, while industry advocates argue data centers provide economic benefits and support growing digital services.
Connecticut lawmakers from both parties are urging a temporary statewide ban on new data centers while the state develops rules governing their potential effects on electricity supply, water use, noise and surrounding communities. Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff said the goal is to establish guardrails before allowing additional development, while Republican state Sen. Jeff Gordon called for a more deliberate approach.
The debate follows data center activity in Waterbury, Norwalk and Trumbull and proposals in several other communities. East Lyme’s Zoning Commission voted to ban data centers, and Groton, New Haven, West Haven, Trumbull and Morris have also enacted bans, according to the report. The Data Center Coalition has defended the facilities as important to digital services and local economies, while Gov. Ned Lamont said Connecticut has not approved large artificial-intelligence-focused data centers and may not do so.