US towns impose 12‑month moratoriums on data centers, battery storage

Albany, Georgia city commissioners voted unanimously on July 28 to pause all new data‑center development for 12 months. The moratorium can be extended by another six months, and the city will hire an independent consultant and task the planning commission with drafting regulations that determine where data centers may be built and what requirements they must meet. Residents expressed concerns about environmental impact, utility demand and community input.

In Newcomb, New York, town officials adopted Local Law #1 of 2026 on July 14, imposing a 12‑month freeze on permits and applications for commercial and industrial battery energy storage systems (BESS). No BESS projects have been proposed in the town, but officials cited fire‑risk and safety concerns. A committee of town board members, fire‑department representatives, the zoning officer and residents will study the technology and develop local policies before any permits are considered.