Florida Counties Pause Data Center…Florida Counties Pause Data Center ApprovalsCoverage from Spectrum Bay News 9, Bradenton Herald, and others
00/00/0000
DailyWeekly
Counties and cities are using temporary moratoria or review periods to slow new data center approvals while they assess power demand, water use, environmental effects, noise, drainage, and public safety.
Florida is the main focus, with Pasco County approving a one-year pause in unincorporated areas and Manatee and Martin counties moving toward similar measures; Spokane, Washington, is also considering a citywide permit moratorium after Avista outlined a potential project reaching 500 megawatts by 2032. The pauses are intended to give officials time to write local rules, though their scope varies by jurisdiction and some actions still require additional hearings or approvals.
Looking Back
79 Day Timeline
Articles published over time. Hover any bar for the period and its article count.
Jun 10
Jun 24
Jul 8
Jul 22
Aug 3
Aug 17
Aug 31
History
08/31/2026
Martin County has joined the Florida jurisdictions actively considering a data center moratorium, while Manatee’s proposal has broadened to include other large-load customers. A major new Polk County campus also adds evidence that substantial development remains active despite the pauses.
08/04/2026
The story is now more concrete: Pasco and Lake have formally approved one-year data center moratoriums, while Manatee is moving from consideration toward adoption and Spokane’s pause is tied to a newly disclosed large-load project. The update also sharpens the policy rationale by emphasizing the push to create data-center-specific rules and the fact that development can still proceed in jurisdictions without a freeze.
Pasco County Florida commissioners approved a one-year moratorium on unincorporated data center construction at a Tuesday meeting while reviewing environmental and financial impacts.
Manatee County commissioners plan a Tuesday board meeting to discuss a temporary moratorium on data center applications amid water supply and grid capacity concerns.
Spokane City Council introduced a one-year moratorium on new data-center building permits after Avista confirmed consideration of a large-load development.
Manatee County commissioners voted July 28 in Manatee County, Florida, to advance a possible one-year moratorium on new data centers and other large-load developments.
Pasco County plans a July 14 vote on a 12-month moratorium for new data center construction after community concerns about water, power, wildlife and flooding risks.
Pasco County commissioners will hold a Tuesday discussion on a proposed one-year moratorium halting new data center approvals while electricity and water impacts are studied ahead of a July vote.
Pasco County Florida commissioners scheduled July 14 deliberations after a New Port Richey hearing on a proposed one-year moratorium for new data center approvals.
Manatee County commissioners voted Tuesday in Florida to prepare a proposed one-year data center moratorium after residents raised concerns about infrastructure, power, water, environmental, and safety impacts.
North Port commissioners in Florida are considering an 18-month moratorium that would suspend new and pending data center applications while the city studies power, water and infrastructure impacts.
Pasco County Planning Commission recommended a 12-month pause on new data center development on June 16 and July 14 for county commissioners to review.
6/11/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
Martin County commissioners voted 4-1 Tuesday in Martin County, Florida, to schedule discussion of a possible data center moratorium after residents raised concerns about hyperscale facilities.
Manatee County commissioners voted at a July 28 meeting to advance a proposed data center moratorium while county staff study power, water, environmental, and infrastructure regulations.
Pasco County Florida approved a one-year moratorium on large-scale data centers, with director David Engel citing pending definitions and regulation work.
6/12/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
AI Governance
Data Centers
Drones
Climate
Privacy
2026 Maine Senate
Bob Dylan
