Municipalities, States Enacting Data Center Moratoriums

July 1, 2026

by Ron Prosek, FaCT Board

More than 12 U.S. states are exploring temporary bans on data

centers in their jurisdictions. In Ohio, 18 municipalities are

considering or have enacted moratoriums. In the Cleveland area

alone, more than 22 data centers are operating, with more

projects underway.

According to News 5, if Cleveland adopts a one-year moratorium,

this will give the city time to review and update zoning regulations;

assess water, energy, and infrastructure capacity; and ensure that

future approvals are based on individual project merits rather than

blanket prohibitions.

Cleveland City Council member Charles Slife introduced the

moratorium legislation. Slife describes hyperscale data centers

as “exploitive” of residents, because of their massive demands for

energy and water and the footprint of such installations as often

exceeding 10,000 square feet and 5,000 servers. The power

demands could strain the city’s power grid.

Councilman Slife observed, “There’s no economic benefit to the

local communities. These are things that support billion-dollar

enterprises but create few jobs.”

In my own county, Lake, Painesville Township trustees have

already approved a temporary moratorium on data centers.

Township Trustee, Gabe Cicconetti said Painesville Township

wants to take a proactive approach by studying all associated

issues carefully.

Also in the Lake County community of Perry, there has been

organized opposition to a proposed data center in that community.

Residents have raised concerns about transparency, tax

incentives, environmental impacts and possible financial risks

tied to the development.

In Ohio, how often have we heard the claim that this fracking

project, or this carbon capture project, or hyperscale data

centers will create a huge number of jobs? It has never panned

out. It creates a few jobs and more temporary jobs—but not the

number or kind of jobs that are worth the downsides of the

projects.