Moratoriums & Bans

Troy Planning Commission voted 5-0 to extend the city's data center moratorium, which was initially enacted in March for six months. The extension, pending city council approval later this month, would continue the moratorium until next March to allow monitoring of state legislative action on data center incentives.

The Troy Times Tribune · Mississippi

Headline onlyrocketcitynow.com · Alabama

U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville, a candidate in Alabama's 2026 governor's race, pledged that data centers can be built without raising power costs statewide, citing the Ratepayer Protection Act he cosponsored to require large power users to pay full infrastructure costs. Counties and cities hosting such facilities would receive monthly payments for schools and law enforcement.

Yellowhammer News · Alabama

The U.S. House passed the Ratepayer Protection Act, which would require large power consumers like data centers to pay the full cost of infrastructure serving them. Senator Tuberville cosponsored the Senate version, saying it ensures Alabama residents won't bear costs for data center development.

Yellowhammer News · Alabama

Sen. Tommy Tuberville is cosponsoring the Ratepayer Protection Act, which aims to prevent data centers from shifting energy and infrastructure costs to consumers. The bill passed the House with bipartisan support and backing from Alabama's entire congressional delegation.

AL.com · Alabama

Republican Byron Donalds proposes new regulations requiring data centers to use private power and water sources, while Democrat David Jolly proposes a one-year moratorium on data center construction with potential for a permanent ban. Donalds has received campaign contributions from data center industries, which opponents have criticized.

Miami Herald · Florida

The Rome News-Tribune · Georgia

Rome city commissioners took no action Monday on a proposed moratorium on new data center projects while the city reviews regulations governing the facilities' development and location.

The Rome News-Tribune · Georgia

The Rome News-Tribune · Georgia

Headline onlyrocketcitynow.com

Headline onlyKWWL · also at KWWL

Florida's gubernatorial candidates are clashing over artificial intelligence data centers, with Democrat David Jolly proposing a one-year moratorium on new facilities to assess environmental and community impacts, while Republican Byron Donalds argues the state can accommodate the infrastructure while protecting communities and local control.

tampabay28.com · Florida

Orange County commissioners advanced a plan for a 6- to 18-month moratorium on data center development, with staff to draft a formal ordinance for a vote. The move follows similar actions by other municipalities nationwide amid concerns over large-scale data centers' environmental and quality-of-life impacts.

Orlando Weekly · Florida

Orange County commissioners agreed Tuesday they will likely impose a temporary moratorium on large data centers, joining more than a dozen other Florida governments in pausing such development. Commissioners expressed concerns about the facilities' massive consumption of water and electricity, as well as noise pollution from cooling systems.

Orlando Sentinel · Florida

Florida residents are increasingly opposing data centers that power artificial intelligence technology due to concerns about water and electrical demands. In the gubernatorial race, Democratic candidate David Jolly has proposed a statewide moratorium on data center construction, while Republican Byron Donalds, despite previously championing such projects, has shifted his position following public backlash.

Creative Loafing Tampa · Florida

Orange County commissioners expressed support for a temporary moratorium on new data centers to allow time for developing regulations, with Commissioner Kelly Martinez Semrad advocating for at least a one-year pause. The board could vote on the proposal Dec. 1, citing concerns over the lack of current zoning rules and potential impacts on water, electricity, and noise.

floridapolitics.com · Florida

In Florida's gubernatorial race, Democrat David Jolly has promised a statewide moratorium on data center construction, while Republican Byron Donalds has softened his previous support for the facilities following public opposition but backs a state regulatory law. The debate centers on data centers' demands on water and electrical resources amid broader concerns about artificial intelligence's impact on employment and communities.

Florida Phoenix · Florida

Leon County commissioners unanimously approved an 18-month moratorium on large-scale data center applications to develop regulations addressing these facilities' potential impacts on water, electricity and infrastructure before projects arrive.

wtwcfox · Leon Co., FL

Orange County commissioners expressed support Tuesday for a temporary moratorium on large artificial intelligence data centers, joining 16 other Florida counties that have enacted similar bans. County staff will study concerns including zoning, water consumption, electricity loads, and noise impacts before commissioners potentially revisit the issue in December.

Central Florida Public Media · Orange Co. (FL), FL

The House passed legislation 417-3 requiring state utility regulators to consider standards for charging artificial intelligence data centers for power and transmission upgrades needed to serve them, aiming to protect consumers from higher utility bills.

The Alabama News Wire · Walton Co., GA · also at TribLIVE.com, WHNT.com, WKRG

Headline onlylocalmemphis.com · Shelby Co., TN · also at Yahoo

Gallatin city leaders advanced two six-month moratoriums on apartment and data center construction at Tuesday's council meeting, shortened from the originally proposed one-year terms. Both ordinances will return for a second reading at the council's next meeting.

News Channel 5 Nashville · Sumner Co., TN

Headline onlyThe Tennessean · Sumner Co., TN

Headline onlylocalmemphis.com · Shelby Co., TN

The Memphis City Council postponed a vote on data center regulation moratorium until October 6, citing a need for more information about development impacts. Council members discussed potential tax revenue and addressed neighborhood concerns about the projects.

Action News 5 · Shelby Co., TN · also at Action News 5, Action News 5

Communities across the country are blocking AI data centers through local moratoriums, zoning rejections, and ballot measures, with over 500 local measures passed nationwide. New York became the first state to pass a statewide moratorium in 2026, and federal legislation for a nationwide moratorium now has 14 House cosponsors.

Food & Water Watch

The Marysville City Council unanimously adopted a 12-month moratorium on data centers Monday. The ordinance pauses new data center development applications while the Planning Commission and city staff review zoning regulations and address stakeholder concerns.

The Marysville Advocate

Alabama's town supervisor says the municipality must decide soon on Stream U.S. Data Centers' $19.46 billion data center project application despite Gov. Hochul's one-year moratorium on new hyperscale data centers, citing statutory requirements for local approval timelines.

The Batavian · Alabama

Humans First, a conservative organization, held a news conference in Bessemer on Sunday opposing large-scale AI data center construction without community input. The group cited two planned projects—Project Marvel in Bessemer and Nebius in Birmingham's Oxmoor Valley—as examples of inadequate public consultation on major development.

alreporter.com · Jefferson Co., AL

Inver Grove Heights amended its data center moratorium Monday to allow Florida-based developer QLevr to proceed with a 54,000-square-foot facility, averting a lawsuit seeking over $150 million in damages. The council voted 3-1 to exclude QLevr's application from the interim moratorium after the company challenged the ordinance in court.

Pioneer Press · Florida

Orange County Commissioner Kelly Martinez Semrad is pushing for a temporary moratorium on artificial intelligence data centers, arguing the county currently lacks specific regulatory language for these facilities. The discussion is scheduled for the September 15th Board of County Commission meeting, with support from local elected officials and a grassroots organization citing concerns about impacts on water, energy, and natural resources.

West Orlando News · Florida

Orange County commissioners will discuss a possible temporary moratorium on AI data center development during a Tuesday board meeting, following Commissioner Kelly Martinez Semrad's June memo requesting at least a year's pause to update policies and study environmental impacts. Several Florida counties have already implemented temporary pauses on data center development.

FOX 35 Orlando · Florida

Several western North Carolina counties and municipalities have adopted temporary moratoriums on data center development while evaluating potential impacts, while Brevard has implemented permanent zoning regulations instead. Rutherford County is home to an existing Meta data center that opened in 2010.

WLOS · Walton Co., GA · also at WLOS

Byron's City Council approved a comprehensive data center ordinance establishing stricter guidelines for potential facilities despite resident opposition. A moratorium on data centers was also extended, though the mayor stated no confirmed project exists for the former Boy Scout camp site.

WGXA · Georgia

Augusta Commission members heard public comment Tuesday on a proposed data center ordinance that would regulate where such facilities can be located and establish operational requirements including noise, lighting, and cooling standards. The ordinance would exclude residential and agricultural zones and exempt a QTS data center already under construction, but residents urged commissioners to strengthen environmental standards, enforcement language, and procedural compliance before voting.

wrdw.com · Richmond Co., GA

Headline onlyThe Commercial Appeal · Shelby Co., TN

A Memphis City Council member delayed a vote on a proposed one-year ban on new data centers until October 6, saying he would amend the ordinance to address fellow council members' suggestions while focusing on hyperscale facilities.

Daily Memphian · Shelby Co., TN · also at Daily Memphian

Headline onlylocalmemphis.com · Shelby Co., TN

Orange County commissioners are debating a temporary moratorium on new AI data center applications after dozens of residents spoke in support, citing concerns about health impacts, energy consumption, air pollution, and water usage. Commissioner Kelly Semrad proposed at least a one-year pause to allow the county to update policies and study environmental impacts.

WESH

Headline onlyWREG.com