Local Governments Block Data Centers as Federal Land Applications Surge
Local authorities in Georgia, Oklahoma, and Washington are restricting data center growth while the federal government reviews dozens of AI infrastructure applications across the West.
The Bureau of Land Management is currently reviewing at least 35 data center-related applications covering more than 24,000 acres of federal land across Arizona, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Wyoming. According to analysis by the Center for Western Priorities, these proposals include 17 data center campuses and 13 infrastructure projects, such as transmission lines and pipelines. Notable pending projects include the 3,013-acre Falcon Data Center in Idaho and the 106-acre Charleston Data Center in Oregon, both developed by Copia Digital, LLC. This expansion aligns with the Donald Trump administration's priority to open public lands for AI infrastructure.
Simultaneously, local governments are implementing restrictive measures to curb development. In Oklahoma, Bryan County commissioners enacted a one-year pause on all data center projects starting September 30. In Washington, Spokane County Commissioners extended a construction pause until June 1, 2027, following public protests over natural resource protection.
In Georgia, the Development Authority of Bryan County rejected a proposal from LN Compute Inc. to build a $150-million AI facility in Richmond Hill. The rejection followed a determination that the project violated existing zoning regulations for the Belfast Commerce Park. These local actions reflect growing public opposition to the high water and electricity demands of AI compute facilities.
