Data Centers: Daily Notes | September 07, 2026

New Hampshire

Governor Kelly Ayotte said she opposes building any data center in New Hampshire and plans to include a multi‑year moratorium in her upcoming budget.

Ayotte opposes potential Bow data center, plans to propose statewide moratorium

The moratorium, which Ayotte said would be included in her next state budget proposal, would not take effect until July 2027 at the earliest.

NHPR New Hampshire Public RadioKate Dario

The ban would not take effect until July 2027 unless she issues an executive order sooner. Ayotte specifically cited a potential hyperscale project in Bow, saying the state lacks the energy supply and that such facilities would raise electricity costs statewide. ISO‑New England confirmed to her that a large data center would increase regional energy prices. Ayotte said the moratorium should last “a period of years” to allow study of energy, water, and noise impacts. Democrats in the State House announced they will propose a 24‑month moratorium in the 2027 session, while a feasibility study in Bow is already underway.

Connecticut

Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont said the state will not host massive AI data centers, warning they consume too much electricity and could raise rates. Lamont distinguished between large hyperscale projects and smaller IT infrastructure improvements, such as those supported by past tax rebates for companies like Cigna.

He noted that Connecticut’s 2021 tax incentive program for new data centers drew little interest and has since been scaled back. Lamont said he would consider proposals where developers supply their own utilities, but only after PURA review and local community approval. His remarks followed criticism from GOP candidate Ryan Fazio, who opposes tax breaks for data centers but does not support an outright ban. Lamont said Connecticut is “the wrong place” for massive facilities and reaffirmed that local towns have authority under zoning laws to block them.

Gorham, Maine

The Town of Gorham is moving toward a permanent ban on data centers, with councilors voting unanimously to send the issue to the planning board for a public hearing.

Gorham officials consider permanent ban on data centers

The Town of Gorham is considering a permanent ban on data centers.

WGMEWGME Staff

The town already enacted a temporary moratorium in June, but officials say stronger action is needed to prevent industrial facilities from locating in residential communities. Councilors Steven Siegel and Lou Simms criticized data centers as offering little local benefit and draining resources, with Simms calling them “the boogeyman” of corporate development.

While no projects have been proposed in Gorham, other Maine towns have passed moratoriums and North Berwick voters will decide on a permanent ban this fall. Governor Janet Mills vetoed a bill earlier this year that would have created a statewide pause. The debate reflects growing tension between local opposition and national leaders who argue data centers are vital for AI and global competition.

Zeeland Township, Michigan

Zeeland Township approved a new year‑long moratorium on data centers and energy facilities, replacing a prior moratorium repealed the same night. Supervisor Kerri Bosma said the move adds protection while the township updates its master plan, even though no applications are pending.

Zeeland Township approves new data center and energy facility moratorium to protect local planning

Zeeland Township has approved a new year-long moratorium on data centers and energy facilities, replacing a previous moratorium the board repealed at the same Tuesday meeting.

FOX 17 West Michigan News (WXMI)Alina Hauter

The decision comes amid a legal battle with RWE Americas over the Silver Maple Solar project, with the township challenging a state law that strips local zoning authority. RWE transferred the case to federal court, but Zeeland has filed to return it to local jurisdiction. The company has paused its application before the Michigan Public Service Commission and scheduled public meetings with residents in September.

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Raritan Township, New Jersey

Raritan Township officials withdrew a proposed ordinance banning data centers and reintroduced a revised version after the planning board recommended adding a definition for accessory server rooms.

Deputy Mayor Robyn Fatooh said the new language clarifies that server rooms within existing buildings are permitted if they occupy no more than 10 percent of floor space or 2,000 square feet. The ordinance continues to define data centers as distinct from warehouses and bars flex space or research facilities from being used as data centers. Township leaders previously adopted a resolution opposing data centers, but attorneys noted it was non‑binding under state law. The new ordinance, Ordinance No. 26‑32, will undergo planning board review and a public hearing on Sept. 15. Officials say the goal is to ensure the township’s 38 square miles are protected from large‑scale industrial facilities tied to AI growth.

Festus, Missouri

Festus leaders approved annexation of three additional parcels tied to CRG’s planned hyperscale data center campus, a $6 billion project covering more than 360 acres.

The council voted 5‑2 to annex land along Hwy. 67, adding to property previously brought into city limits last year. CRG confirmed the parcels are part of its conceptual plan, which envisions development followed by an operator taking over the facility. The vote came amid opposition from two council members who argued for more time to study the issue, but their motion to delay failed. The annexation was finalized just before a new state law limiting Jefferson County annexations took effect, prompting Crystal City to file suit challenging the restrictions. Festus officials canceled their Sept. 14 meeting due to lack of quorum, leaving the next steps in the project pending.

Orange County, Florida

Orange County Vice Mayor Kelly Martinez Semrad has proposed a one‑year moratorium on new AI data center applications, saying the county needs time to study impacts on water, electricity, and land use.

Semrad noted that the county’s land development code currently lacks specific language regulating data centers, which are implicitly allowed under industrial zoning. Her report cites research showing a single modern AI data center can consume as much power as 100,000 homes and up to 5 million gallons of water per day. Orange County Utilities already faces a projected groundwater shortfall of 96 million gallons per day by 2045. Semrad emphasized the moratorium is not anti‑business but a pause to ensure proper policy and regulation. The proposal will be discussed at the Sept. 15 commission meeting.

Trenton, Ohio

Trenton’s City Council unexpectedly revived and approved a ballot initiative to ban data centers, adding it as an emergency ordinance just before the deadline for the November election.

Trenton passes data center ban to November ballot for voters to decide

Trenton originally rejected a data center ban ballot initiative, prompting an Ohio Supreme Court challenge and a ruling in the petitioner’s favor. A vote Thursday pushed the vote to November 3rd.

WCPO 9 CincinnatiSean DeLancey

The move followed a hand‑delivered legal notice from the Butler County Prosecutor’s Office stating the city could still place the measure on the ballot if it acted immediately.

Mayor Ryan Perry said officials had mistakenly believed the initiative required a separate special election and only learned Thursday that it could run concurrently with the general election. The vote came the same night the city presented its plan to annex 601 acres from Madison and St. Clair Townships for an Amazon Web Services campus, a proposal both townships formally oppose. A hearing on those objections is scheduled for September 15. Prologis is also advancing a separate data center project on Trenton’s south side near Carvana.

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