US Cities Adopt New Data Center Regulations Amid Texas Governor Audit

The Joplin City Council approved a comprehensive data‑center ordinance that sets a 45‑decibel noise limit at residential property lines, requires pretreatment of wastewater, mandates compliance with state and federal emissions standards, and obligates facilities to use Tier 4 or equivalent backup generators. The council also removed a special‑use‑permit requirement, placing responsibility for utility upgrades on the data‑center operators, and simultaneously raised residential trash rates under a new contract with Republic Services.

In Fort Worth, city officials halted planned data‑center updates after Governor Greg Abbott ordered the Public Utility Commission of Texas and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas to conduct a statewide audit of super‑computer hubs. The audit will examine tax exemptions, power and water usage, cooling methods, ownership and community‑impact mitigation. Assistant City Manager Jesica McEachern briefed council members on the pause and the steps needed for a possible moratorium, noting that non‑compliance would block grid connections for the facilities.