Oklahoma Cities and Tribal Nations Extend Data Center Moratoriums

Oklahoma City Council voted in mid-November to extend data center moratoriums through the end of next year, joining communities across the state pausing the fast-growing industry.

As Oklahoma cities and counties work to catch regulation up to the power-hungry sector, the pause stops local governments from accepting rezoning or building permits allowing data center construction or expansion. While Edmond’s pause covers all data centers through the end of next June, Oklahoma City’s targets facilities that could consume more than 75 megawatts of power.

Oklahoma City extends moratorium on data center projects — KOKH – FOX 25

Hyperscale data centers typically consume 100 megawatts or more, according to the International Energy Agency. Residents across Oklahoma have pushed back against these massive developments over worries about heavy water and electricity consumption, pollution from diesel generators, and other environmental effects.

Several tribal nations have enacted similar protections, including the Cherokee Nation, Seminole Nation, and Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes. State lawmakers have also attempted intervention. Last year, Sen. Kendal Sacchieri, R-Blanchard, filed a bill to enact a statewide moratorium on data centers and direct the Oklahoma Corporation Commission to study their long-term impacts, though the legislation ultimately did not move to its committee.

OKC City Council votes to extend data center moratorium — KOCO 5 News

“City staff will be researching best practices and working with a consultant and community stakeholders to update the zoning code, including the creation of a specific use unit for data centers,” OKC Planning Director Geoff Butler said in a news release, KGOU reported. “Extending the temporary moratorium will give City Council time to evaluate the full scope of the potential impacts and determine appropriate regulations.”

Oklahoma City’s moratorium includes provisions allowing the city to lift the restriction before its expiration date. The city previously added exemptions for the Expand Energy Campus and a facility near the OKC Outlet Mall.

Other municipalities implementing similar pauses include Tulsa, Norman, Broken Arrow, Luther, and Bryan County. Local leaders maintain the halts are necessary to establish proper oversight before developers break ground.

“We are expecting staff to give us ordinances so that if a data center ever comes to us, we have something to regulate with,” Barry Moore told KGOU during an Edmond meeting, noting that no data center developers have approached the city yet.