Governments and cities around the world are moving to restrict or ban new data center construction due to concerns over electricity costs, strained water supplies, land scarcity, and the burden on local communities from the infrastructure powering the AI boom.
US Restrictions
In the United States, New York State has imposed a one-year construction moratorium on data centers using 50 megawatts or more of power. Maine’s Governor Janet Mills vetoed bipartisan legislation that would have enacted an 18-month moratorium on new data centers using more than 20 megawatts of power.
In California, the city of Monterey Park has permanently banned data centers after residents voted against a planned facility. These restrictions are part of a growing trend of governments and cities taking steps to limit the growth of data centers and mitigate their environmental impact.
International Restrictions
Amsterdam has imposed a one-year moratorium on new data center developments, and the Dutch national government has restricted large facilities to two designated locations. Dublin, Ireland, had previously blocked new data center connections due to strain on the grid, but this restriction has since been lifted, with new connections now required to bring their own on-site power generation.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
