moratorium
Coverage of moratorium in the Nexus archive.
- I’m a data center CEO. Communities deserve better partners, not blanket bans
New York has implemented the country's first statewide moratorium on new large-scale data center construction, with similar bills surfacing in states including Maine and Georgia. The article argues that while banning data centers is unrealistic due to their vital role in services like banking, hospital records, and 911 communication, trust must be earned through transparency and developers paying for necessary infrastructure costs.
- Charlotte updates data center regulations during ongoing moratorium
Charlotte has implemented a five-month moratorium on new data centers to update local regulations, addressing the industry's growth. The pause, approved by the Charlotte City Council in June, allows officials to develop rules protecting air, water, and land resources, with a community task force assisting in the process.
- New data center restrictions, moratorium up for final vote this week in Nashville
Nashville leaders are working to impose restrictions on future data center sites in Davidson County as companies propose new facilities across Middle Tennessee. The proposed measures, including a moratorium, are set for a final vote this week.
- Opinion | Michigan can’t afford a blanket moratorium on data centers
The article argues that Michigan cannot afford a blanket moratorium on data centers. Keith Ledbetter, CEO of Associated Builders and Contractors of Southeastern Michigan and the Southeast Michigan Construction Academy, presents this opinion.
- Empire State Weekly: Data center moratorium to impact AI in NY
Governor Kathy Hochul signed a moratorium halting new large-scale data center construction in New York for at least a year. The pause is expected to affect AI development in the state.
- Wixom residents to weigh in on data center ordinance as city council meets Tuesday night
Wixom residents will address city council on an ordinance amendment to regulate data centers during a Tuesday meeting. The council may lift a moratorium on data centers as Wixom Industrial One and Sansone propose building a 500,000-square-foot facility, sparking resident concerns about resource use and economic impact.
- New York enacts first US ban on data center construction
New York has become the first US state to place a moratorium on the construction of data centers. The action prohibits new data center construction until further notice.
- New York becomes the first state to enact a data center moratorium
New York has enacted a statewide moratorium on new hyperscale data centers for up to a year, signed by Governor Kathy Hochul. The moratorium blocks environmental permits for data centers exceeding 50 megawatts, while a separate bill from the state legislature with a 20 megawatt threshold remains pending.
- Michigan Data Centers: The Weekly Download
Michigan communities like Coldwater, Girard Township, and Garfield Township are developing new data center ordinances instead of moratoriums. A 1.4 gigawatt data center in Saline Township seeks tax reductions, while Hyperscale Data's expansion in Dowagiac faces a federal lawsuit over noise and property value concerns. Public discussions and legal challenges highlight ongoing debates over data center impacts.
- Garfield Township inches closer to a possible data center moratorium
Garfield Township's Planning Commission recommended amending zoning ordinances to allow moratoriums, with over 100 residents attending a meeting to oppose data centers due to environmental and water use concerns. No data center proposals exist in the township, but public comments highlighted opposition to their economic and environmental impacts, with some calling for an outright ban.
- Battle over East Texas water rights heats up after Dallas millionaire files federal lawsuit to lift moratorium
A Dallas millionaire, Kyle Bass, filed a federal lawsuit to lift a moratorium on East Texas water rights. The case highlights a legal battle over water resource management in the region.
- Nashville data center restrictions, moratorium move forward in lengthy meeting
Nashville's Metro Council meeting addressed proposed data center restrictions and a potential moratorium, with hundreds of attendees speaking during a seven-hour session. The discussion focused on community input regarding data center developments in the city.
- Michigan Data Centers: The Weekly Download
Michigan faces multiple developments regarding data centers, including a pending zoning ordinance in Solon Township, a federal lawsuit against Hyperscale Data in Dowagiac, and legislative proposals to regulate data center projects. A statewide moratorium on data center development is being debated, alongside a report analyzing economic and public concerns.
- "We already have permits": DC Blox doubles down as planning commission backs moratorium
DC Blox is proceeding with a controversial data center near the Nashville Zoo despite growing opposition. The planning commission has supported a moratorium on the project.
- 'My little piece of heaven:' Why the fight against data centers in Tenn. is getting emotional
Coffee County, Tennessee, has implemented a one-year moratorium on data centers to draft zoning restrictions, driven by residents' concerns over land preservation and quality of life. The Planning Commission aims to limit data centers to industrial zones, enforce height limits to reduce light pollution, and explore funds for decommissioning risks. Residents like Jenny McKee emphasize protecting their land and community from potential negative impacts.
- Wilson County considers 6-month moratorium on data centers amid community concerns
Wilson County planning and zoning committee approved a six-month moratorium on data centers amid community concerns about noise, infrastructure strain, and environmental impact. The measure awaits county commission approval on July 20, while a new committee studies zoning changes. Residents and officials like Commissioner Lauren Breeze and Farmer Jack Pratt expressed worries about resources and harm to farmland.
- McMinnville launching ‘research and information-gathering process’ into data centers after passing development moratorium
McMinnville, Tennessee, has passed an 18-month moratorium on new data center permits and is launching a research process to address community concerns. The city will host two town halls in June to discuss regulations and potential pathways for data center development, following the proposed Hixson Data Center, a 25-megawatt AI-focused facility.
- Maine’s governor vetoes data center moratorium
Maine's governor vetoed L.D. 307, a bill that would have imposed the first U.S. statewide moratorium on new data centers until 2027. The bill aimed to address energy consumption concerns related to data center growth.
- Democratic Maine governor vetoes first US state freeze on new datacenters
Maine's Democratic Governor Janet Mills vetoed a bill that would have made the state the first in the US to impose a moratorium on new large datacenters. She argued the moratorium would hinder an ongoing datacenter project, highlighting the tension between environmental concerns and economic benefits from such facilities.
- The US needs a data center deal — not a moratorium
The article argues that the US should focus on constructing data centers in a publicly supported manner rather than imposing a moratorium. It emphasizes the need for strategic development to gain public backing instead of halting projects.
- Time is running out for Gov. DeWine to take a side on the death penalty
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine imposed an informal moratorium on executions in 2019 but has not decided whether to abolish the death penalty or commute the sentences of the 113 people on death row before leaving office in January 2025.
- Will Maine Governor Janet Mills Sign Nation's First AI Data Center Ban Into Law?
Maine's proposed moratorium on AI data centers would last over a year, pending Governor Janet Mills' decision to sign it into law. The governor is currently facing a challenging Senate primary election.