Commission debates data-center ordinance as residents press for broader ban or moratorium

Dozens of residents and experts filled the dais to press the Board of County Commissioners for stricter rules on AI and other data centers, urging lower megawatt thresholds, mandatory independent impact studies, and prepayment of infrastructure costs by applicants.

"We need AI data centers of all sizes to be prohibited in Escambia County," one speaker said, summarizing the prevailing demand from multiple public commenters who distinguished server rooms from AI data centers and cited water, noise, and energy impacts. Speakers urged the board to adopt a moratorium to allow a full study; others — including the county attorney — warned that state law (SB 180) limits local restrictions and that some definitions lack legal clarity. Several speakers also raised campaign-contribution questions and developer ties as part of the larger transparency debate.

After a lengthy board exchange about process and legal risk, commissioners moved to transmit the ordinance language on large-scale data centers to the state for review and signaled intent to pursue a moratorium process separately. The motion to transmit passed 5–0. Commissioners said the land development code currently does not permit data centers absent an affirmative amendment, but they acknowledged citizens’ concerns and promised follow-up work and possible moratorium procedures in coming weeks.