Local Governments Impose Data Center Moratoriums Across Multiple States

Local governments and lawmakers in several states are implementing pauses and legal challenges to curb the unchecked growth of data centers. In Oklahoma and Alabama, the Norman City Council and the Fort Payne City Council both unanimously approved moratoriums on new data center permits and battery energy storage systems. Norman is using the pause to study facility impacts and hold public hearings, while Fort Payne established a six-month window to create zoning ordinances, including a 1,000-foot setback from residential areas.

Similar tensions have surfaced in Michigan, where a coalition of opponents and lawmakers rallied in Lansing to demand a statewide moratorium on new project approvals until April 2027. State Senator Jim Runestad and Representative Dylan Wegela support a legislative pause to establish economic and environmental guardrails. However, Representative Joey Andrews argues that existing regulations are sufficient and that a moratorium would only delay progress.

These political efforts coincide with targeted legal battles. In Saline, Michigan, a resident has filed multiple challenges and a complaint against the Saline Township zoning board. This follows a settlement between the township and developer Related Digital that cleared the way for a $7 billion data center intended to power Oracle and OpenAI.