Fairhope, Alabama thefairhopetimes.blogspot.com
Edited.
CONSTRUCTION NOT LIKELY HERE
Councilman Burrell told the Times he does not think there is a need for a moratorium/ban on data centers here as some other towns are doing, because there is no place for one here anyway.
Councilman Robinson agreed it is unlikely anyone would want to put one here.
Planning department director Simmons says if it did ever come up any application would likely have to be approved by the Board of Adjustments during a public hearing because it would be considered a utility, needing special permission.
Burrell said he did have some worries about potential high water and power consumption wherever they are; the city's electrical supplier Energy South is officially neutral on the issue he added.
He said he did not generally oppose them everywhere though.
According to media reports Foley just adopted a 6 month moratorium -- and "at least eight other Alabama cities have adopted or are considering data center moratoriums, most after developers announced plans to build facilities within their jurisdictions. Birmingham imposed the state’s first moratorium in March, followed by Leeds, Homewood, Cullman, Fort Payne, Fairfield, Springville and Prichard."
One current candidate for governor is advocating for a one-year state-wide moratorium.