Seattle, Washington

“It is important to know that the City of Seattle has not authorized nor permitted any new data centers. However, the prospect of massive new data centers being built in Seattle has raised understandably intense public alarm.

I share community concerns about environmental justice, economic resilience, and impacts of increased costs for Seattle rate payers. That’s why my team is working closely with Seattle City Light, City Council and stakeholders to identify a range of long-term policy approaches, including exploring a moratorium on siting new centers.”

— Mayor Katie B. Wilson, Statement on data centers

Mayor Wilson identifies initial steps for action on data centers - Office of the Mayor

Two weeks ago, the mayor announced her team would work to identify long-term policy approaches to data centers, including exploring a moratorium. She proceeded to instruct relevant City departments to develop a coordinated approach, with the aim of addressing substantial public policy concern about the potential impacts of data centers on utility costs, community health, […]

Office of the Mayorswilson

Three Seattle City Council members announced plans to introduce an emergency moratorium on new data center siting, paired with a resolution calling for impact studies on infrastructure, water, utility rates, and public health.

The council received thousands of emails after reports that four companies approached Seattle City Light about building five large-scale data centers with a combined demand of 369 megawatts, enough to power roughly 300,000 homes. The moratorium would take effect immediately upon adoption and last 365 days, with a possible six-month extension. Both the moratorium and the resolution are expected to be formally introduced by mid-May. Councilmembers are also expected to take action on an ordinance creating a separate electricity rate for large-load customers, including data centers.

Twinsburg, Ohio

Twinsburg City Council unanimously approved a one-year moratorium on new data center development, giving officials time to evaluate energy demand, environmental effects, and zoning regulations.

During public comment at an April 14 meeting, residents raised concerns about water usage, strain on infrastructure, and effects on pollinators. The moratorium does not ban data centers permanently; it allows officials to study whether and how to integrate them.

Ypsilanti, Michigan

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The Ypsilanti Community Utilities Authority unanimously passed a 12-month moratorium on water and sewage services to new data centers, creating a temporary block on a $1.25 billion computing facility proposed by the University of Michigan and Los Alamos National Laboratory.

The proposed complex would sit on 144 acres along the Huron River and require 100 megawatts of power, plus 500,000 to one million gallons of water daily for cooling. The facility would include a classified federal research section dedicated to national security work, including nuclear weapons simulation.

Waite Park, Minnesota

Waite Park's city council held a public hearing on a proposed one-year moratorium that would temporarily ban data center development in the city's industrial districts.

The draft ordinance would prohibit the city from accepting applications or issuing permits for data center projects while staff studies the issue and drafts regulations. A small exception exists for telecommunications shelters under 300 square feet. Under Minnesota state law, the moratorium can remain in effect for up to 12 months.

Athens, Georgia

Athens City Council approved a zoning ordinance change creating a new data center category, with the city's conditional-use requirement described as one of the most restrictive limitations a municipality can place on data center land use.

Under the new rules, any data center proposal would require approval from the planning commission and a series of public hearings rather than the expedited by-right process.

Danville, Virginia

Danville's city council will consider adding data center language to its development code and increasing the equipment tax rate from $0.25 to $1.20 per $100 of assessed value.

The planning commission unanimously recommended approval of the proposed zoning amendments. A second agenda item would nearly quintuple the tax on data center equipment; the $0.25 rate has been unchanged since the classification was created in 2018. Both items will have public hearings at the council's Tuesday meeting.

North Carolina

North Carolina House Democrats filed a bill that would impose heightened regulations and reduce or eliminate state and local tax incentives for data centers operating in the state.

Social Circle, Georgia

Social Circle's city council cleared the way for a data center complex spanning more than 450 acres with a series of unanimous zoning votes, approving annexation, rezoning, and special-use permitting for the final 123-acre parcel.

The full development along Fairplay Drive and Roy Malcom Road is expected to exceed 2 million square feet of data center space. The developer will also be required to improve Roy Malcom Road to support the project, and buildings are limited to a single story.

Lake Township, Ohio (Stark County)

Lake Township trustees passed a resolution establishing a six-month moratorium on any new data centers and will consider adding a data center section to the township zoning resolution.

The moratorium was approved at the board's April 27 meeting.

Hartville, Ohio

Hartville Village Council is considering a moratorium on data center reviews after Councilman James Sullivan said he received letters from a property owner regarding data center construction.

Sullivan said he would like to put together a resolution for a moratorium on any reviews of data centers until more information is received. The council also adopted a strategic plan at its April 27 meeting and scheduled a work session for May 5 to finalize implementation.

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