US Cities Implement Data Center Moratoriums Over Resource Concerns

Local governments in three U.S. cities have moved to halt data center expansion to address concerns over infrastructure strain and resource depletion. In Chicago, Mayor Brandon Johnson proposed a one-year moratorium to develop long-term regulations on electricity costs, pollution, and water use. This follows an August executive order creating a task force to scrutinize these facilities. While Environmental Committee chair Maria Hadden supports the pause, Alderman Bill Conway has introduced competing legislation to bypass the moratorium in favor of immediate community review and stricter enforcement.

In Lubbock, the City Council voted 5-2 to begin implementing a moratorium on large-scale data centers. The resolution establishes a 90-day period to create guidelines for noise, lighting, and power reliability, with a potential extension lasting until June 2027. Mayor Mark McBrayer stated the pause allows the city to await guidance from state legislators and assess the status of the Electric Reliability Council of Texas.

Meanwhile, the North Port City Commission approved an 18-month moratorium on data center applications in a 3-2 vote. The measure allows staff to study environmental impacts and water aquifer risks not covered by current land codes. To avoid potential lawsuits, the commission excluded a proposed 900,000-square-foot facility in the Deep Park development from the pause, though the commission must still grant final approval for the project.