Reno’s fast-growing debate over data centers has taken a major turn.
In a move drawing attention well beyond Nevada, the Reno City Council voted 6-to-1 to halt approvals for new data centers through August 2027 as officials examine issues including water consumption, power demand, noise, and tax-abatement policy.
What happened?
On Monday, Reno leaders approved a temporary moratorium on new data centers, with council member Kathleen Taylor casting the lone dissenting vote. The pause is meant to give city officials time to draft new rules before allowing additional large-scale projects to move forward.
More than 50 cities across the U.S. have some form of ban or pause on new data center construction. Reno is joining places such as Fort Worth, Carson City, and Atlanta, where disputes over local authority and hyperscale projects have been intensifying…