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Last Update: 08/01/2026 at 1:01 PM EST

Counties Pause Data Center Approvals

Coverage from KGW and others

Articles

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The Topic

Counties Pause Data Center Approvals topic image

Counties and townships in Maryland, Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey are pausing or blocking data center proposals while officials review zoning, water resources, electricity capacity, infrastructure costs, and community impacts. Several jurisdictions acted before receiving a formal application, while others responded to specific proposals, withdrawn applications, or disputes over land use and public disclosure. The pattern points to local governments tightening approval processes and seeking clearer development standards before data centers advance.

First Article: 05/13/26

Latest Article: 07/27/26

Summary

  • Washington County, Maryland, extended a proposed six-month pause into a 12-month moratorium to study water, utility capacity, economic effects, and zoning gaps.
  • Dougherty County, Georgia, imposed a 45-day pause to determine where data centers should be located and what facility-size, land-use, infrastructure, and water standards are needed.
  • Andover Township, New Jersey, banned data centers in every zoning district after intense public opposition tied to a former airport site.
  • Cascade Township, Michigan, halted reviews of data centers and cryptocurrency mining facilities while residents dealing with PFAS contamination raised concerns about water and infrastructure strain.
  • Washington Township, Michigan, faced a transparency dispute over exploratory talks with Prologis; the proposal was withdrawn after DTE said it could not provide the requested power capacity on the developer's timeline.
  • Plymouth Township, Pennsylvania, is opposing a proposed facility because officials say data centers do not fit the site's warehouse or distribution zoning category.
  • Several jurisdictions are acting without a pending application, suggesting officials are using moratoria to write rules before development pressure becomes formal.

History

This topic is new, but as new articles are added to it this area will summarize shifts, changes and expansions of the issues.

Featured

07-27-2026
KGW
Hillsboro Enacts 120-Day Data Center Moratorium Amid Lawsuit, Resident Pushback
Hillsboro City Council enacted a 120-day moratorium on new and expanded data centers and BESS facilities to update land-use planning after community opposition and related litigation.

Additional Articles