Data Centers // February 24, 2026
At A Glance 🔽
- Denver Mayor Mike Johnston announces a moratorium on new data centers while the city reviews energy, water, and zoning rules.
- Maine legislators weigh a moratorium on data centers above 20 megawatts through July 2028.
- Hood County, TX commissioners set to reconsider a data center moratorium after a narrow rejection.
- Middlesex Township, PA planning commission approves the first infrastructure phase of a $15 billion, 700-acre data center.
- Spartanburg County, SC state senator asks council to delay a vote on TigerDC's $3 billion Project Spero tax incentive.
- Hays County, TX judge proposes a moratorium on industrial water permits after San Marcos rejects a data center.
- Sunbury, OH residents fill overflow rooms to oppose a proposed Amazon data center. Public hearing set for March 23.
- Portage, MI council expected to approve a temporary moratorium on data centers and energy storage.
- Fulton County, IN commission scheduled to vote on data center moratorium next Monday.
- Senator Bernie Sanders calls for a federal moratorium on AI data center construction.
Denver, Colorado
Denver Mayor Mike Johnston and City Council members announced a moratorium on new data centers, a process they said is expected to last several months while the city reviews and strengthens its regulations.
"Mayor Mike Johnston today joined members of City Council in announcing it intends to file a moratorium on new data centers in Denver..."
The ordinance will be filed by City Council. Existing data centers and projects currently permitted or under construction won't be affected, though they may be expected to follow new guidelines once finalized. If approved, the city will conduct a review of data-center-specific regulations around land, energy, and water use as well as zoning and ratepayer affordability.
Maine
Maine legislators are weighing a moratorium on data centers with loads above 20 megawatts, which would pause building, permitting, and establishment through July 1, 2028.
State Rep. Melanie Sachs (D-Freeport) proposed the moratorium as an amendment to LD 307, a resolution bill that would create a data center coordination council to evaluate policy options.
The amendment drew opposition from state Sen. Matt Harrington (R-York), who said it "would harm" a development in his district. Advocates worry that 24/7 data center power demand could raise electricity prices in a region where all six New England states already rank in the top 10 for the most expensive residential rates. Maine saw a 10.6% year-over-year spike in residential electricity rates between November 2024 and November 2025.
Hood County, Texas
Dane Artisola
Continues from...
Hood County commissioners are set to reconsider a data center moratorium today, after narrowly voting against it earlier this month.
Commissioners will also vote on directing the county attorney to seek an opinion from the Texas Attorney General on whether Hood County has authority to act beyond state law, plus a resolution asking Gov. Greg Abbott to call a special session addressing rapid data center growth.
🔗 Resolution on the Establishment of Additional Data Centers in the State of Texas and Call for Special Legislative Session
Middlesex Township, Pennsylvania
Middlesex Township's planning commission approved the preliminary plan for Phase 1-A of a proposed $15 billion, 700-acre data center on Country Club Road in Cumberland County.
This first phase covers the construction of a PPL substation and customer substations; infrastructure only, not the data center buildings themselves. Dozens of residents packed the three-hour meeting to voice opposition, citing noise and environmental concerns.
Resident Meredith Herner told FOX43: "I'm afraid that's all going to go away," referring to wildlife in her backyard. Developers said a sound study had been done and that noise from the substations would be "pretty imperceptible" at the planned setback distances. The Phase 1-A plan now goes to the Board of Supervisors in March.
Spartanburg County, South Carolina
State Sen. Shane Martin is asking Spartanburg County Council to delay a vote on a tax incentive package for New York-based TigerDC's $3 billion Project Spero in the Tyger River Industrial Park North.
Council passed the second reading 5-2 on Feb. 16, lowering TigerDC's property taxes from the state's standard 10% on industrial property to 4%. A third and final reading is set for March 16. Project Spero would be the second data center to receive county tax incentives in the past year.
Hays County, Texas
The City of San Marcos rejected a proposed data center in Hays County this month, but two other projects remain planned for the county and one is already under construction.
Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra has proposed a moratorium on high-volume industrial water permits, citing his authority as director of emergency management after the governor's January 17 drought emergency declaration. Becerra asked all county water providers to move to stage four drought restrictions and said he will ask commissioners to impose a moratorium on large industrial use permits "so that we could have time to study, see what's in place, see what's been committed, and see what's available."
Sunbury, Ohio
Dozens of Sunbury residents packed a public meeting Monday night to oppose a proposed Amazon data center off Vans Valley Road, filling one overflow room and requiring a second across the street.
Attendees raised their hands in opposition, signaling widespread concern. Catherine Parker, a farmer and beekeeper in her mid-20s, said:
she was "really angry" and "disappointed that this was even a conversation for debate in such a small town that was built on farmers, millers, bricklayers."
Resident Larry Thode said he's:
"not against data centers, but I'm against placing things that we don't know the damage they do close to schools, close to neighborhoods."
The mayor said he plans to review Monday's feedback and bring it to the zoning board. A rescheduled public hearing is set for March 23.
Portage, Michigan
Portage city council is expected to approve a temporary moratorium on permits for new data centers and energy storage projects this week, and set a March 24 public hearing on a longer moratorium through the end of the year.
The longer moratorium would stay in place until the city approves permanent regulations for both types of facilities. Data centers are increasingly drawn to the upper Midwest for its colder climate and water resources, but they compete with existing users for energy.
Fulton County, Indiana
Dane Artisola
Continues from...
The Fulton County Area Plan Commission met Monday amid a packed room of residents urging officials to keep the moratorium on new data centers in place.
The plan commission originally passed the moratorium earlier this month. Residents at Monday's meeting cited concerns over water usage, electricity demands, and environmental impact. County commissioners delayed their own vote last week, citing legal steps that still need to be completed. The commission is now scheduled to vote on the moratorium next Monday.
U.S. Senate
Senator Bernie Sanders called for a federal moratorium on new AI data center construction on February 23, following Denver's announcement of a similar local measure.
Sanders expressed concerns over the environmental impact and potential job losses tied to AI, warning the technology could drastically affect working-class Americans.
He urged immediate action:
"Bottom line: We cannot sit back and allow a handful of billionaire Big Tech oligarchs to make decisions that will reshape our economy, our democracy and the future of humanity."
📆Upcoming Meetings
- Hood County, TX: Commissioners to reconsider data center moratorium, Tuesday (today!), Feb. 24. ‼️
- Spartanburg County, SC: Third reading on TigerDC tax incentive, March 16
- Sunbury, OH: Rescheduled public hearing on Amazon data center, March 23
- Portage, MI: Public hearing on data center and energy storage moratorium, March 24
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