US Counties Implement Data Center Bans and Moratoriums

Local governments across the United States are increasingly restricting data center development to protect natural resources and infrastructure. In Florida, the Volusia County Council enacted a permanent ban on large-scale data centers with peak electrical loads of 50 megawatts or more in unincorporated areas. This follows a May law signed by Governor Ron DeSantis granting counties regulatory authority and mandating reused water for cooling. Other Florida jurisdictions, including Palm Beach and Taylor counties, are considering similar pauses or conducting research into potential bans.

Similar restrictions are appearing in other states. The Durham County Board of Commissioners in North Carolina voted 4-1 for a nine-month moratorium effective through May 2027, while the Madison County Quorum Court in Arkansas approved a three-year pause until August 2029. In Washington, the Spokane County Board of Commissioners unanimously paused land use and permit applications until December 15 to draft new zoning amendments.

In Minnesota, the Carlton County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a one-year moratorium to study environmental and social impacts. Officials cited a proposed Google facility in nearby Hermantown as a cautionary example. These collective actions reflect growing concerns over the resource exploitation driven by AI demand, sparking political divisions among gubernatorial candidates in Florida over the use of such moratoriums.