Board adopts moratorium on funding projects that support data centers through Dec. 31, 2027

The CURB board voted to recommend a moratorium on funding projects that support data centers through Dec. 31, 2027, extending an initial policy-committee suggestion. The motion was presented to allow time for impact studies and for state legislative workgroups to develop guidance.

Board members and legislators raised concerns about the local consequences of data-center construction. A panel and board discussion cited possible effects on utilities and ratepayers, land use and long-term employment outcomes. One board member summarized a packet figure for context: “the average data center … uses 100,000 households of power per year and 2,600 households of water per year,” a statistic used in discussion to illustrate scale and potential local impacts.

Speakers suggested the moratorium would buy time for impact studies and for Commerce and other state entities to participate in workgroups that can examine water sourcing, grid impacts and contract conditions that would make developers contribute to mitigation or local infrastructure. The motion to extend the moratorium from the policy committee’s recommended June 30, 2027 date to December 31, 2027 was seconded, put to a voice vote and passed.