Local Governments Impose Data Center Moratoriums Across United States

Local governments across the United States are implementing temporary bans on data center development to evaluate the impact of large-scale IT infrastructure on local resources. In Wisconsin, the Village Board of Bellevue unanimously approved a 12-month moratorium on August 13, 2026, citing concerns over noise pollution, water consumption, and power grid demand. This move aligns with a broader trend in the state, where the issue has entered the gubernatorial race with candidates David Crowley, Francesca Hong, and Tom Tiffany debating statewide policies and subsidies.

Similar actions have occurred in other states. The Commerce City Council adopted an emergency 45-day moratorium on August 11 to address a lack of municipal codes for regulating electricity and air-quality impacts. In Kansas, Shawnee County commissioners voted 2-1 to halt new data center applications until February 17, 2027, while seeking an engineering firm to conduct further studies. Notably, the Shawnee County pause allows Compass Datacenters to resubmit its application.

Resistance is also growing in Washington and Virginia. Yakima County commissioners are considering a six-month moratorium on permits in unincorporated areas to study land and water resources. In Bedford County, Virginia, residents formed the Bedford Citizens Against Data Centers to educate the community on environmental effects, despite the county having no active data center plans.