Resource Type: Legislation

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January 27, 2026

Larimer County, Colorado Adopts Temporary Moratorium on Data Center Facilities

Larimer County commissioners adopt a temporary moratorium on new data center land use applications in unincorporated areas on January 27, 2026. After a February 9 public hearing, the board extends the pause through August 25, 2026, directing staff to draft land use code definitions and standards for data center development.

Campaign Strategy, Community Organizing, Government & Policy, Legal & Zoning, Ordinance, Victories
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January 20, 2026

Linn County Data Center Zoning Ordinance — Staff Report (PA26-0001)

Linn County, Iowa planners propose a new EU-3 exclusive-use zoning district for large-scale data centers — those exceeding 20 MW or 50 gallons per minute of water. Standards set 1,000-foot residential setbacks, 55 dBA noise limits, mandatory water supply studies and economic development agreements including a Community Betterment Fund.

Community Benefits Agreement, Energy, Government & Policy, Legal & Zoning, Noise, Ordinance, Public Engagement, Taxes, Utilities & Power, Water Quality & Quantity
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January 1, 2026

Policies for Data Centers, 2026

This Sierra Club policy brief outlines four categories of state-level guardrails to mitigate data center impacts: ratepayer protections through large load tariffs and cross-subsidy prevention, clean energy accountability via RPS enforcement and on-site renewable mandates, reform of tax and utility incentives, and public health protections addressing cumulative air emissions from backup diesel generators. The document…

Economic Analysis, Energy, Government & Policy, Public Engagement, Taxes, Utilities & Power
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December 3, 2025

North Star Data Center Policy Toolkit

This comprehensive 85-page policy toolkit provides specific legislative and regulatory language for local and state governments to stop, slow, and restrict data center development through enforceable interventions. Offers detailed legal mechanisms including conditional use permitting structures, rate class definitions, contract guarantee language, and enforcement provisions drawn from actual ordinances nationwide. Includes assessment of interventions: local…

Allies and Partners, Campaign Strategy, Coalition Building, Community Organizing
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September 15, 2025

Model Data Center Ordinance – PennFuture Model

The model ordinance outlines provisions for data centers regarding water and power consumption, noise, and aesthetics, developed by PennFuture after analyzing various ordinances from Pennsylvania and northern Virginia.

Government & Policy, Legal & Procedural, Legal & Zoning, Noise, Ordinance, Utilities & Power, Water Quality & Quantity
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April 29, 2025

Data Centers Issue Brief | National Caucus of Environmental Legislators

This NCEL issue brief outlines state legislative strategies to address data center impacts on the electricity grid, ratepayers, and clean energy goals. It highlights bills from Texas, Georgia, Utah, Virginia, Minnesota, and New Jersey covering transparency requirements, ratepayer protections, demand response programs, and clean energy mandates for data centers. The brief notes that electricity costs…

Energy, Government & Policy, Utilities & Power

Resource Type: Legislation

Larimer County, Colorado Adopts Temporary Moratorium on Data Center Facilities

Linn County Data Center Zoning Ordinance — Staff Report (PA26-0001)

Policies for Data Centers, 2026

North Star Data Center Policy Toolkit

Model Data Center Ordinance – PennFuture Model

Data Centers Issue Brief | National Caucus of Environmental Legislators