Data Centers: Daily Notes | September 01, 2026
California unanimously approved SB 1168; Perryville is considering a third draft of its data center ordinance; Pima County; Dougherty County; Forest Park; Appomattox County; Mead; Harpersville, Escondido. READ MORE.
At A Glance đź”˝
- California unanimously approved SB 1168, directing regulators to ensure data centers cover their fair share of transmission and distribution costs to prevent their growing electricity demand from driving up rates for residents.
- Perryville, Missouri is considering a third draft of its data center ordinance with public hearings, a 500-foot setback, a 50,000-gallon daily water cap, closed-loop cooling, a groundwater ban, and environmental and noise assessments.
- Pima County, Arizona released a Johns Hopkins-backed public health framework identifying 21 potential data center impact pathways involving air, water, heat, and disease, strengthening calls for a statewide pause until resource concerns are addressed.
- Dougherty County, Georgia extended its data center moratorium for another 180 days as residents push for permanent regulations addressing noise, setbacks, and water use.
- Forest Park, Georgia approved a 90-day data center moratorium to revise zoning rules, establish residential buffers and accountability requirements, and create a community advisory committee.
- Appomattox County, Virginia approved a performance agreement for a data center project during a closed session, drawing resident frustration over transparency while officials cited potential tax revenue, jobs, and economic benefits.
- Mead, Colorado imposed a 12-month data center moratorium to study infrastructure, water use, setbacks, and other impacts and develop clear standards for future projects.
- Harpersville, Alabama adopted a six-month data center moratorium to proactively study energy, water, environmental, and land-use impacts while holding monthly informational sessions for residents.
- Escondido, California unanimously approved a 45-day moratorium on new AI data centers and expansions to give staff time to study potential impacts and develop regulations.
California
The California Legislature approved SB 1168, directing the Public Utilities Commission to examine data centers’ energy use and prevent utility rate hikes for residents.
Authored by Sen. Jerry McNerney, the bill won unanimous bipartisan support and now heads to the governor’s desk. Lawmakers said data centers’ massive electricity demand often forces utilities to build costly infrastructure upgrades, costs that otherwise fall on ratepayers. California already hosts one of the nation’s largest concentrations of data centers, with demand expected to grow by 2.3 gigawatts by 2030. SB 1168 requires regulators to ensure data centers pay their fair share of transmission and distribution costs.
California legislature passes SB 1168 to protect residents from data center-related utility rate hikes/Facebook
Perryville, Missouri
Perryville officials are strengthening local rules for data centers even though no project has been proposed, with the Board of Aldermen set to consider a third ordinance revision September 1.
Tallis Johnson
The latest draft requires public hearings before licenses are issued, a 500‑foot separation from homes and sensitive facilities, and caps water use at 50,000 gallons per day. It also mandates closed‑loop cooling, bans groundwater wells, and requires environmental and noise impact assessments. City leaders said residents have influenced the ordinance, with feedback incorporated into each version. Officials emphasized they are not actively seeking data centers but want clear safeguards if one approaches.
Dougherty County, Georgia
Dougherty County commissioners voted unanimously to extend the county’s moratorium on data centers for another 180 days, continuing a pause first enacted earlier this summer.
Officials said there is no limit on how many times the moratorium can be renewed, though debate continues over whether rules should distinguish between large and small facilities. Residents expressed satisfaction with the extension, noting commissioners have become more responsive to community concerns. The next step, residents said, is drafting ordinances to regulate noise, setbacks, and water use. County leaders will revisit the issue at the planning and zoning meeting scheduled for September 3.
Pima County, Arizona
The Pima County Health Department released a public health framework for evaluating data centers, developed with Johns Hopkins researchers, identifying 21 pathways for impacts on air, water, heat, and disease.
Officials said the tool will guide local decision‑making as Arizona faces rising proposals and limited resources. Attorney General Kris Mayes cited the review in her call for a statewide pause, warning that Arizona lacks sufficient water and power amid Colorado River cuts. She said legislation is needed to halt approvals until a plan is in place to secure resources. The framework is intended to inform both county and statewide policy debates.
Social Listening 🎧: Podcast
Policy talk doesn’t just happen in the news cycle—it can also live in long-form audio. Strisker’s Podcast Signal turns hours of episodes into actionable insight, indexing transcripts so you can surface key mentions of STRs, data centers, ordinances, and local decision-makers in seconds.
Forest Park, Georgia
Forest Park’s City Council approved a 90‑day moratorium on data centers to allow time for drafting zoning changes. Officials said data centers are currently allowed by right, which enabled Digital Realty to build a facility in the city.
The proposed ordinance revisions would define data centers, set buffers from residential areas, and require accountability provisions for companies. Council members emphasized balancing financial benefits with long‑term impacts on infrastructure and residents. The city will also form a community advisory committee to gather public input during the moratorium.
Appomattox County, Virginia
Appomattox County supervisors approved a performance agreement for a data center project during a closed session, leaving residents frustrated by the lack of transparency.
The agreement reportedly allows the developer to receive annual payments tied to tax revenue generated by the facility, subject to board approval each year. Officials said the deal could expand the tax base, create jobs, and strengthen the local economy. Board Chairman John Hinkle acknowledged public concerns, saying secrecy limited what could be shared but emphasized the county’s priority was securing protections in the agreement. The document has not yet been released to the public.
Mead, Colorado
Mead trustees voted 4‑2 to impose a 12‑month moratorium on data centers, halting new applications while staff study impacts and draft regulations. The pause is not permanent and could end sooner if staff complete their review, but trustees said growing interest in Front Range projects makes preparation urgent.
Mead trustees approve 12-month data center moratorium
Supporters argued the moratorium allows time to address infrastructure demands, water use, and setbacks, while opponents said the economic benefits of data centers should not be delayed for a full year. Mayor pro tem Trisha Harris compared the move to early regulations on oil and solar farms, saying Mead must manage the unknown. The town attorney emphasized the moratorium is meant to ensure future projects are evaluated with clear standards.
Harpersville, Alabama
Could data centers come to Harpersville? City weighs pros and cons in first information session
Harpersville adopted a six‑month moratorium on data centers to give officials time to study potential impacts and draft regulations, even though no developer has approached the town.
Mayor Theoangelo Perkins said the pause is meant to be proactive, with monthly informational sessions planned to address energy, water, and environmental issues. Nearby towns have already been contacted by developers, prompting Harpersville to prepare early. Business leaders praised the council for weighing both economic benefits and land use concerns, noting hyperscale projects can require hundreds of acres. Officials emphasized that residents will have opportunities to provide input throughout the moratorium period.
Escondido, California
Escondido’s City Council unanimously approved a 45‑day moratorium on new AI data centers and expansions, giving staff time to study impacts and draft regulations.
Samantha Nelson
Officials said the city has no pending applications but acted proactively as demand for AI and cloud computing grows statewide. Staff research highlighted risks including high water and electricity use, grid strain, noise, and limited tax benefits compared to other industrial uses. The council could extend the pause for up to a year if more time is needed. Findings and recommendations are expected to be presented by October 10.
📱 Social Buzz
Episode Title: Episode #2474 Shapiro's Data Center Flip-Flop
Episode: The John Fredericks Show
Listen:https://johnfredericksradio.libsyn.com/episode-2474-shapiros-data-center-flip-flop
Court orders Trenton to allow residents to vote on data center ban https://t.co/mf0j2elr1T
— Enquirer (@Enquirer) September 1, 2026
Independence residents along Bly Road have filed numerous complaints about alleged permit violations with the construction of the Nebius data center campus. https://t.co/bgoXXgDb3y pic.twitter.com/EHQPvf5YKY
— FOX4 News Kansas City (@fox4kc) September 1, 2026
City of Fresno weighs data center ban https://t.co/J91YzsXDsd
— The San Joaquin Valley Sun (@SJVSun) September 1, 2026
Caddo Commission kills effort for a more limited data center moratorium https://t.co/JTBeWjnLwr pic.twitter.com/St8DBRaMle
— The Shreveport-Bossier City Advocate (@sbcadvocate) September 1, 2026
Construction continues on the massive Project Jupiter data center development in southern New Mexico despite recent court orders putting key permits on hold. https://t.co/oLVeyyW2MD
— News Radio KKOB (@KKOBradio) September 1, 2026
A judge has ordered a pause on the development of a controversial data center planned for federal land within Boulder City.https://t.co/8MtZoB3eED
— KSNV News 3 Las Vegas (@News3LV) September 1, 2026
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