Data Centers: Daily Notes | September 14 2026

Beaufort, North Carolina

Beaufort County commissioners postponed their vote on a proposed one‑year moratorium for new data center applications, rescheduling the formal hearing and decision from Sept. 14 to Oct. 5.

Beaufort County to hear public input on proposed one-year data center moratorium

BEAUFORT COUNTY, N.C. — Beaufort County commissioners will hear public comments Monday night on a proposal that would pause future data center development appli

WCTIEmilia Paz, & Michelle Pumphrey

The moratorium would temporarily halt acceptance, processing, and approval of projects while officials study impacts on utilities and infrastructure. Commissioners said the delay allows more time for public input, with an informal hearing still set for Sept. 14. Under board policy, written comments will not be accepted, requiring residents to speak in person or designate someone to read their remarks. The final hearing and vote will take place Oct. 5 at the county administration building in Washington.

Loudon County, Virginia

Loudoun County supervisors are preparing to debate two amendments that would reshape data center development, including a temporary pause on new applications and the elimination of by‑right permitting.

Loudoun to consider data center pause, removing by-right grandfather clause • Virginia Mercury

Loudoun County, the epicenter of Data Center Alley, is set to take up two amendments that would curb data center development, at least temporarily.

Virginia MercuryShannon Heckt

Board member Juli Briskman, who is running for chair, said the county needs to “pump the brakes” and revisit zoning standards, while Laura TeKrony is pushing to end the grandfather clause that allows older applications to bypass hearings. The proposed changes would require all data centers to obtain special exceptions, ensuring public hearings and board votes. Residents in neighborhoods near construction sites have raised concerns about noise, generator use, and proximity to homes. The pause report will be presented Sept. 15, while the grandfather amendment is scheduled for Oct. 6.

Oxford Township, Michigan

Oxford Township leaders are drafting new ordinances to regulate data centers, with proposals including stricter noise standards, mandatory utility demand studies, and requirements for screening and landscaping.

Oxford Township begins amending ordinances for data centers

Projects can range in size from 15,000 square feet to a million square feet.

The Oakland PressMatthew Fahr

The rules would make data centers a special land use in designated overlay districts, requiring public hearings and impact reviews. Consultants explained that large facilities can consume millions of gallons of water daily and generate noise levels exceeding 85 decibels, far beyond typical office buildings. Residents expressed alarm, saying projects could harm aquifers, reduce quality of life, and provide few jobs. Commissioners acknowledged the emotional testimony and said the ordinances must be ready before the moratorium ends in 2027. The process is expected to continue into next year with more hearings and revisions.

Portland, Oregon

Portland’s City Council will vote Wednesday on a resolution aimed at blocking secret negotiations with data center developers. The measure urges city officials not to sign non‑disclosure agreements and requires immediate notification if a company seeks to build or expand a facility drawing 20 megawatts or more.

Sponsors say NDAs prevent communities from learning about massive utility demands until projects are already approved. Oregon documents note data centers now consume 5.6 percent of the state’s electricity, with utility bills spiking 50 percent for Portland General Electric and Pacific Power customers. Portland currently hosts 17 smaller centers but no hyperscale facilities, unlike Hillsboro, Seattle, and Tacoma, which have enacted moratoriums or bans.

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Piqua, OH

Piqua city commissioners will vote Sept. 15 on whether to advance three recall elections and a charter amendment banning data centers and cryptocurrency mining.

The recalls target Mayor James Vetter, Vice Mayor Frank DeBrosse, and Commissioner Rick Walker, with each petition surpassing the 1,250‑signature threshold verified by the Miami County Board of Elections. Organizers accuse the officials of disregarding public input and failing to protect residents’ rights, though the affidavits represent claims rather than findings.

The commission must set election dates within 40 to 60 days, coinciding with other scheduled elections. Separately, commissioners will hear the first reading of a charter amendment prohibiting high‑intensity computing facilities, including AI campuses and crypto mines, with 1,319 valid signatures verified. If passed, the amendment would go before voters within 60 to 120 days.

Woodford County, Kentucky

Woodford County became the first in Kentucky to permanently ban data centers, joining a small group of local governments nationwide that have taken such a strict stance.

A Kentucky county becomes first in state to permanently ban data center construction

Other counties and cities have issued moratoriums, or temporary bans, on data centers

WUKYLiam Niemeyer

The ordinance, passed unanimously by the fiscal court, also prohibits landfills and large battery storage systems, citing threats to farmland and community character. Judge‑Executive James Kay said the move reflects a commitment to preserving the county’s rolling pastures and Thoroughbred farms, which are central to its economy.

The Data Center Coalition criticized the ban as anti‑business, arguing communities should work with developers to craft regulatory frameworks instead of outright prohibitions. Kay said residents voiced universal opposition and the county wanted to avoid divisive debates like those in nearby Mercer County. The ban underscores growing tension in Kentucky over balancing economic development with farmland preservation.

Prince William County, Virginia

Prince William County’s Planning Commission voted Sept. 10 to recommend ending by‑right data center development, backing a zoning amendment that would require all future projects to obtain special use permits with public hearings.

The proposal also drastically reduces the size of the county’s Data Center Opportunity Zone Overlay District, first adopted in 2016. Commissioners debated grace periods, ultimately settling on a 120‑day compromise with a 500‑foot buffer from homes and schools after several stalemates. The recommendation follows invalidated July deliberations due to improper public notice, echoing issues that derailed the PW Digital Gateway project. The Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing Sept. 22 on the landmark proposal. Supporters say the change ensures transparency, while opponents warn it could slow economic growth.

Moffat County, Colorado

Moffat County commissioners postponed a vote on a proposed moratorium for data centers, opting to gather more information and public input before revisiting the issue Oct. 13.

Moffat County commissioners delay decision on data center moratorium in order to seek public input

The Moffat County Board of County Commissioners delayed a decision on a proposed moratorium on data center development during its Sept. 8 meeting, opting instead to spend the coming weeks gathering additional information and public…

CraigDailyPress.comJohn Camponeschi

Officials debated six‑month versus 12‑month pauses, but the planning commission recommended limiting any moratorium to six months if adopted. Planning Director Candace Miller said regulations could be completed within that timeframe, noting work is already underway to define and classify data centers. Much of the public comment focused on the Trapper Reborn redevelopment project, with developers warning a moratorium could jeopardize investment. Residents urged caution, citing risks to land, water, wildlife, and community character. Commissioners agreed to hold multiple meetings before deciding, emphasizing education and transparency.

Foley, Alabama

The Foley City Council approved a six‑month moratorium on data centers, cryptocurrency mining facilities, and server farms, halting all applications while officials study impacts on zoning, utilities, and the environment.

Foley Approves Six-Month Data Center Moratorium - City of Foley

Foley has approved a six-month moratorium on data centers and similar facilities while the city studies potential impacts and updates regulations.

City of FoleyEMiller

Mayor Ralph Hellmich said the pause allows the city to update ordinances and technical manuals to address water use, air pollution, and noise. Foley’s Riviera Utilities already has policies preventing data centers from shifting electrical costs onto existing customers, requiring developers to provide their own power capacity. No applications have been filed, but officials said they want to be prepared if proposals emerge. The moratorium ensures future projects face stricter review and community safeguards.

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