The moratorium doesn't affect a massive data center project already underway.
The Denver city council approved a one-year moratorium on permits for new data centers, citing the city's need to develop new regulations and zoning standards specific to data center development.
According to an article by Spencer Soicher and Melissa Reeves for NBC 9 News, "The vote comes despite construction well underway on a data center in the Elyria-Swansea neighborhood that is estimated to use far more water and power than anything currently operating in Denver." The DE3 site in Elyria-Swansea is designed to use up to 230,000 gallons of water and up to 18 megawatts of power per day if operated at maximum capacity.
The moratorium halts new permits until the city addresses questions of placement, energy and water consumption and noise.
Read the full story: Denver City Council unanimously approves 1-year moratorium on new data centers
Poll: 75% of Americans oppose data centers near their homes
As they proliferate across the country, data centers face growing backlash from communities concerned about their rapid growth and unknown impacts.
Seattle bans data centers for a year
The city council approved the measure after five 'mystery' projects raised concerns among residents and city leaders.
Texas bars data centers from raising utility costs for residents
Gov. Abbott is calling on the state's utility regulator to take steps to reduce energy costs for consumers and ensure data center operators pay for any added costs.
California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour
If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.
Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River
Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.
Eastern Nebraska is running out of electricity
Data centers and electrification are straining eastern Nebraska’s grid, throttling economic development.
Houston gains petal-shaped cooling infrastructure to make streets more ‘delightful’
The city has installed the pavilions along 15 blocks in Houston.
After years of opposition to light rail, this L.A. city wants a $200 million station
Cerritos officials want the Southeast Gateway Line, a planned 14.5-mile light rail route through Los Angeles County, to stop in their city.
SpaceXAI may be fined $6 million for data center lacking water permits
A Mississippi agency also responds after a federal judge criticized the state’s Clean Air Act enforcement.
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