Data Centers: Daily Notes | October 22, 2026

San Mateo County, California

The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to begin evaluating zoning changes that would restrict data center construction in the county’s unincorporated areas.

San Mateo County considers regulating new data centers

An earlier proposal include looking into a countywide ban, but supervisors said the move would be too strict without further information on the center’s impact.

The Mercury NewsStephanie Lam

The resolution passed with majority approval, though it was narrowed to drop consideration of a countywide ban that appeared in the original proposal. Supervisor Lisa Gauthier, a sponsor, pointed to the diesel backup generators data centers often rely on and the emissions that come with them. She also said the San Mateo County Event Center had been solicited as a potential data center site. Board President Noelia Corzo, who co-sponsored the resolution, and Supervisor David Canepa were absent for the vote.

Warrick County, Indiana

Warrick County is moving forward with a permanent data center ordinance that would require any project to win a site-specific rezoning vote from county commissioners, with public hearings set for Nov. 2 and Nov. 9.

The draft creates a new Data Center Overlay district, and projects would need both general industrial zoning and the overlay designation, with no option to bypass the vote through a special exception. It would cap operational noise at 55 decibels at neighboring homes, set buildings at least 300 feet from residential property and generators and other heavy equipment at least 500 feet back, and ban once-through cooling for routine operations.

Developers would also have to disclose and cap peak-day water demand and post financial assurance for decommissioning. Officials said the ordinance was in the works for months before Project Alloy, Alcoa’s proposed data center on about 700 acres near its power plant, became public.

Calloway County, Kentucky

The Calloway County Fiscal Court voted 4-1 Wednesday to approve a one-year moratorium on new data center development and expansions.

The ordinance allows the court to grant exceptions for projects that meet specific conditions, and an amendment added before the vote requires developers to show, among other things, that a project would not harm utilities or the environment. The vote followed a presentation from electric cooperative officials on the potential economic benefits, risks, and need for local oversight of data centers.

Missoula County, Montana

Missoula County released a draft study finding that data centers pose potential threats to public health, safety, and the natural environment, and recommending the county extend its data center moratorium for one year.

The study was required by law after the county passed an emergency moratorium on data center permits in July, following public concern over a proposed seven-megawatt AI data center in Bonner.

Data Center Interim Zoning

Project Description On July 9, the Missoula County commissioners adopted a countywide one-year moratorium on new or expanded data centers outside of the City limits. This temporary moratorium followed substantial public engagement and allows staff time to evaluate the

Missoula County VoiceFearne

A permanent moratorium is unlikely under Montana’s Right to Compute Act, so the study points instead to comprehensive zoning tailored to the specific impacts it identified. The county will host an in-person Q&A on the study next Tuesday.

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Archbald, Pennsylvania

Archbald Borough Council unanimously rejected Cornell Realty Management’s zoning request for the 14-building Wildcat Ridge Data Center Campus on 578 acres, drawing applause from a crowd of about 200 on Wednesday night.

Archbald unanimously denies zoning for hyperscale data center campus in borough

The 14-building data center campus included 588 diesel powered backup generators on untouched land. The company is expected to appeal.

The Allegheny FrontKat Bolus

The Brooklyn-based developer had sought conditional use approval for the hyperscale campus off Business Route 6 and Wildcat Road, which included plans for 588 diesel-powered backup generators. The property sits in the borough’s data center overlay district, and the decision followed nine hearings held between January and September. Council declined to comment on the vote, citing potential litigation, and many residents said they expect the developer to appeal.

Berlin, Maryland

Berlin Council Vice President Jack Orris outlined what a data center moratorium of one year or longer could look like at Tuesday night’s meeting, though the council took no action.

Orris proposes town moratorium on data centers; No action from council yet - Worcester County News Bayside Gazette

By Tara Fischer Staff Writer (Oct. 22, 2026) Town of Berlin officials are exploring what a moratorium on data center applications could look like as the

Berlin, Ocean Pines News Worcester County Bayside GazetteKelly Brown

Orris said a moratorium would give town staff a defined period to gather utility, water, public safety, and financial information, develop zoning and development standards, and take public comment before deciding whether to adopt a framework. He suggested a future ordinance could define data centers and require developers to report expected electricity demand, generator use, and other operational details. Orris first raised the idea in August and was asked to return with more information. Council member Shaneka Nichols said she would prefer a moratorium longer than 12 months to allow time for thorough research and planning.

Stafford County, Virginia

The Stafford County Board of Supervisors voted to take nine parcels of land by eminent domain for a reuse water pipeline that will primarily cool data centers.

Each of the nine votes passed 4-2-1, with Vice Chairwoman Maya Guy and Rock Hill Supervisor Crystal Vanuch voting no and Griffis-Widewater Supervisor Tinesha Allen abstaining. Data center developers are building the system, known as the “purple pipe,” to carry treated but non-drinkable water for cooling in place of drinking water. Ten property owners have settled with the developers, but nine others, including homeowners associations and individual landowners, have not, which prompted the county’s condemnation. County Administrator Bill Ashton said the pipe will be county-owned public infrastructure that other businesses can also use for industrial cooling.

St. Joseph, Missouri

The St. Joseph City Council is set to vote Monday, Oct. 26, on two consultant contracts to help the city develop zoning and development guidelines for potential data center projects.

The council postponed both ordinances at its previous meeting after questions arose over whether the proposed consultants work with data centers. One contract, with GBA Inc., has since been amended to specify that its recommended zoning revisions and development guidelines are meant to protect St. Joseph residents and their property, at a cost of up to $42,440. The second contract, with Renew Missouri Advocates, would cover community outreach, legal services, and recommended zoning and code changes for up to $10,750. The meeting begins at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall.

📱 Social Buzz

Episode Title: Big Tech Wants Texas's Power and Water. Will Your Electric Bill Go Up?

Episode: Data Center Revolution

Listen: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dcrevolution/episodes/Big-Tech-Wants-Texass-Power-and-Water--Will-Your-Electric-Bill-Go-Up-e3qs3d2

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