US Cities Draft Data Center Rules Amid AI Growth

Local governments in the United States are implementing new regulatory frameworks to manage the surge of data center developments driven by artificial intelligence and cloud computing. In Clinton, Iowa, Mayor Scott Maddaison has advocated for a series of open public meetings to draft a data center ordinance. These discussions focus on a proposed hyperscale project by Quality Technology Services, which would be the largest in the state. Residents have raised concerns regarding the loss of productive silt loam soil, potential water shortages, noise pollution, and safety risks associated with lithium-ion battery fires.

Similarly, the City of Chesapeake has established an eight-month moratorium on data center projects in industrial-zoned districts. The Chesapeake City Council recently passed an ordinance requiring formal council approval for all future projects in these areas. To refine these standards, the Chesapeake Planning Department is hosting three public open house sessions throughout September to gather resident input on comprehensive policy requirements.