Massachusetts city cements 365-day data center moratorium after residents raise water, power fears

Massachusetts city cements 365-day data center moratorium after residents raise water, power fears

Westfield, Massachusetts, has formally locked in a yearlong pause on new data centers after residents packed public meetings to raise concerns about electricity demand, water use, and the long-term costs such facilities could bring to the community. The Westfield City Council made the temporary ban official on July 6 with a unanimous vote in favor of the 12-month moratorium. What happened? Supporters cast the moratorium as a chance for Westfield…