Cherokee Nation bans hyperscale data centers on tribally owned and trust land
The Cherokee Nation has banned hyperscale data center development on its tribally owned and trust lands after a task force found significant environmental concerns and widespread community opposition. For other lands within the reservation, the Nation will require developers to consult with the tribe and address resource and cultural concerns early in the process.
The Cherokee Nation has enacted a ban on hyperscale data center development on its tribally owned and trust lands, a decision stemming from an extensive study by the Principal Chief’s Data Center Task Force. This action follows the task force's months-long research, which included community outreach and surveys to assess the potential impact of such projects on the tribe's economy, environment, and communities.
The task force's final report raised numerous concerns, particularly regarding excessive energy and water usage, air quality, noise and light pollution, infrastructure strain, and potential damage to cultural resources. The report also highlighted that a significant majority of surveyed Cherokee citizens do not support hyperscale data center construction within the Cherokee Nation Reservation.
Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. affirmed that these findings compelled the Nation to adopt a strong stance against future development on tribal lands. While the ban specifically targets tribally owned and trust land, the Nation has also established conditions for other lands within the reservation: developers must consult with the tribe early, address cultural and natural resource concerns, and integrate meaningful community input before any hyperscale data center project can be considered for support.
The new policy is designed to safeguard tribal lands and resources, ensuring the Cherokee Nation has a decisive voice in all data center projects proposed within its reservation boundaries.