Moratoriums, temporary bans, and building permit freezes on data center construction across the United States. Data Center Signal is tracking 17,245 clips related to moratorium across all 50 states.
The Calvert County Planning Commission advanced a proposal to prohibit data centers in every zoning district to a public hearing. The proposed permanent ban follows a six-month moratorium, Amazon's withdrawal of plans for three data centers near the Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant, and organized resident opposition.
Harmony Township canceled a scheduled meeting to consider a two-year moratorium on data center development after officials determined the public notice was published two days short of the required 15-day period. The proposed moratorium concerns Geronimo Power's planned 500-acre data center near Mapleton.
The article examines how a Democratic trifecta in Pennsylvania could advance proposals to regulate data centers, limit their effects on electricity bills and impose fees on large water users. Environmental advocates are also calling for a moratorium on new data center construction, but Gov. Josh Shapiro is viewed as unlikely to support one because of his efforts to attract the industry.
The Clackamas County Board of Commissioners unanimously voted to pause data center permit applications for six months. During the pause, the county will study impacts on water availability, utility costs, natural resources, infrastructure, land use and economic opportunities while developing potential regulations and seeking public input.
Palm Beach County leaders have paused plans to hire a consulting firm to study potential data center impacts, including noise, power demand and water use. The county is already under a one-year moratorium on new data centers, and commissioners are expected to revisit the issue next month.
Estherville’s Planning and Zoning Commission is continuing discussions about a potential small-scale data center proposed by PathOne Data Centers. Residents raised concerns about noise, water usage and facility deconstruction, while Emmet County’s one-year moratorium on new data center projects applies only to unincorporated areas.
Palm Beach County commissioners approved a one-year moratorium on large-scale data centers, but county zoning staff later backed a plan to nearly triple the data center space approved for a property associated with Project Tango. The request was submitted by PBA Holdings.
Wausau’s City Council is set to reconsider the city’s newly adopted data center rules, which include a 200-foot buffer from residential zoning and require conditional-use approval. The rules also mandate reviews of water use, wastewater, sound, energy consumption and sustainability, while Marathon County separately approved a 12-month pause on data center development in county-zoned towns.
San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria signed an executive order calling for a temporary moratorium on new data center development. The proposed freeze follows community opposition to a 400-megawatt facility at the NAVWAR campus and must be approved by the San Diego City Council.
The 138th House District election includes debate over three proposed data center developments in Upper and Lower Mount Bethel townships. Democratic candidate Jared Bitting supports a moratorium and stronger energy, water and environmental rules, while incumbent Ann Flood’s voting record includes support for a six-month development pause and repeal of data center tax incentives but opposition to several reporting and regulatory measures.
About 60 people in Culpeper joined a March for Moratorium protest opposing new data center construction, the conversion of local farmland and high-voltage transmission lines. Organizers are calling for a statewide pause on new data center development in Virginia.
The article examines the unprecedented scale of U.S. data center investment, estimating it could reach $10 trillion and nearly 4% of GDP. It also highlights concerns about energy and water costs, pressure on housing and other investment, and growing state efforts to reduce subsidies or pause approvals.
The Lawrence Township Planning Board delayed action on a proposed townshipwide ban on data centers to allow additional research into its legal basis, environmental effects and infrastructure impacts. Board members are considering whether targeted rules on power use, water consumption, cooling systems and noise would be more defensible than an outright prohibition.
North Carolina residents and officials are raising concerns about the rapid expansion of data centers, including higher electricity and water costs, pollution, noise, environmental damage and limited government transparency. Opposition is particularly active in Stokes County, where residents are challenging Project Delta after county commissioners approved it despite planning board objections, while some officials and advocates support moratoriums and tighter regulation.
Savannah City Council held a workshop on creating an ordinance to regulate where data centers can be built and how residents can participate before approval. The city previously passed a moratorium on data centers and is considering special-use permits for future projects, while officials say appropriately sized facilities remain important infrastructure.
Spartanburg County Council approved a preliminary development agreement for the NorthMark and Valara data center under the county’s data center moratorium. The agreement requires reporting and compliance measures covering noise, light, landscaping, water, utility demand and air quality, while allowing accelerated approval reviews.
The Memphis City Council rejected an indefinite moratorium on new data centers but approved a 135-day pause. The temporary halt is intended to give the city time to develop regulations for artificial intelligence data centers.
Mandan residents and officials are considering whether to allow a proposed hyperscale data center while a moratorium currently prevents construction from beginning. About 100 residents attended a forum and raised concerns including noise and the project's proximity to schools, while local officials said a related ordinance remains in draft form.
Berleen Wobeter, a Democratic candidate for Iowa House District 53, supports a statewide moratorium on new data center approvals until Iowa adopts standards for construction, cooling, power arrangements and cost protections. She organized a public forum in Tama County featuring Doug Sevey, CEO of Enseva Data Center, and called for independent research and greater local input.
South Carolina Reps. John McCravy and Daniel Gibson are preparing legislation that would establish statewide standards for new data centers, including limits on water use, noise, residential proximity and utility cost impacts. The proposal has not yet been introduced or approved, while Greenwood County has separately approved zoning restrictions and a one-year moratorium on data center development.