Temporarily Banning Data Centers Draws More Interest From State And Local Officials

(Photo by Nathan Howard/Getty Images via Minnesota Reformer)

(Minnesota Reformer) – As communities’ concerns grow over rising electricity prices and the environmental effects of data centers, some local and state officials want to halt development of the facilities.

Lawmakers in at least 11 states — Georgia, Maryland, Michigan, New Hampshire, New York, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Vermont, Virginia and Wisconsin — have introduced legislation this session that would temporarily ban data centers, according to Good Jobs First, a watchdog group that focuses on economic development incentives.

While some of the measures would establish an indefinite moratorium, others would ban new data centers for several years. The Vermont measure, for example, would ban new data center projects through July 2030.

The New Hampshire, New York, Oklahoma and Vermont bills would also require state agencies to study the impacts of data centers on local economies, the environment and more.