IN THE COUNTY LEGISLATURE OF JACKSON COUNTY, MISSOURI
Title
AN ORDINANCE establishing a temporary moratorium on new data center development projects within Jackson County, Missouri, and establishing requirements for future data center project review with an effective date and severability clause.
Intro
ORDINANCE NO. 6087, May 18, 2026
INTRODUCED BY Manuel Abarca IV, County Legislator
Body
WHEREAS, the rapid expansion of large-scale data centers has raised significant concerns regarding environmental impacts, utility capacity, infrastructure strain, public safety, and neighborhood quality of life; and,
WHEREAS, data centers consume substantial amounts of electricity and water resources, potentially impacting residential and commercial utility customers throughout the region; and,
WHEREAS, local governments and utility providers require sufficient time to evaluate the long-term impacts of proposed data center developments on infrastructure, emergency response capabilities, environmental sustainability, and the public interest; and,
WHEREAS, residents deserve transparency and meaningful public engagement regarding projects that may affect utility costs, resource availability, environmental conditions, and public safety in their communities; and,
WHEREAS, current local emergency response agencies may not possess the specialized training, equipment, or resources necessary to adequately respond to incidents involving hazardous materials and complex systems commonly utilized within large-scale data centers; and,
WHEREAS, this resolution is intended to support responsible growth and thoughtful oversight of data center development not to discourage innovation, investment, or the advancement of technology; and,
WHEREAS, the County recognizes the important role data centers play in supporting modern infrastructure, artificial intelligence, cloud computing, healthcare, education, commerce, and communication; and,
WHEREAS, it is necessary to establish clear...
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