US EditionNew Orleans City Council bans data centers for a year after concerns over potential development
The moratorium responds to concerns about energy, water, noise, and property impacts while the City Planning Commission reviews data center zoning definitions.
- On Wednesday , the New Orleans City Council passed a one-year interim zoning ban on data centers and directed the City Planning Commission to review zoning uses with recommendations due in roughly two months.
- Amid concerns over electricity and water use, residents and neighborhood groups cited worries about resource concerns and environmental impacts near New Orleans East homes, while the council said it acted out of "an abundance of caution" with Mayor Helena Moreno opposing the proposal.
- James Ramsey said the council's action killed his proposed data center near Interstate 10 and Read Boulevard, citing `Basically, the council just announced to the world that we're not smart enough to know the difference between a toxic waste dump and a building with computers in it.`
- Critics warned that community advocates cautioned the appeals process required by city law and new zoning categories may allow data centers after the one-year interim zoning districts.
- High-Profile projects like Meta's $27 billion hub have spurred new power infrastructure and job estimates of over 5,000 construction jobs and 500 operational jobs amid a nationwide data center trend with 3,000 planned as of 2025.
10 Articles
10 Articles
Associated Press News
New Orleans City Council bans data centers for a year after concerns over potential development
The New Orleans City Council passed a yearlong ban on data centers in New Orleans and began an effort to clarify zoning regulations for new data center projects on Wednesday (Jan. 28).
New Orleans City Council bans data centers for a year after concerns over potential development - WXXV News 25
By ALIANA MEDIRATTA/Verite News The New Orleans City Council passed a yearlong ban on data centers in New Orleans and began an effort to clarify zoning regulations for new data center projects on Wednesday (Jan. 28). The vote will head off any data center development in New Orleans East, which has drawn concerns about energy and water consumption from neighbors and local politicians, including Mayor Helena Moreno. Data centers are currently no…
Madison, Wis. Joins Growing List of Cities Pausing Data Center Development
WASHINGTON, Jan. 29, 2026 – The Madison Common Council has approved a one-year moratorium on new large-scale data center development, giving city officials time to review zoning rules and infrastructure demands tied to the facilities’ expansion.The temporary pause applies to new data centers and telecommunications centers larger than 10,000 square feet. City officials said the moratorium is intended to allow staff to evaluate potential impacts o…
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