The city council in Broken Arrow joined the list this week of cities, counties and some states in adopting a moratorium on data center projects.
The council voted unanimously in support of the moratorium in order to give city officials more time for an in-depth study of how data centers might impact the city. The six-month moratorium will expire Dec. 31, 2026.
The Broken Arrow City Council voted unanimously Monday to approve a moratorium on data center proposals while city officials study the developments more in depth. As adopted, the move will also prevent any land use development applications for proposed data centers from being accepted for the next half-year.
The decision comes after a letter of intent (LOI) agreement expired between the private property owner and a prospective company for the purchase of 52 acres in east Broken Arrow for a potential data center. The company behind the proposal was never revealed publicly, reported the Broken Arrow Sentinel.
The city intends to study all potential impacts on the community including electric consumption and potential rate impacts on surrounding customers, water demand, noise generation and traffic.
City Manager Michael Spurgeon said the moratorium will give the city a chance to do due diligence and come up with recommendations that set forth ordinances, guidelines and land-use development codes should the City Council decide to have a specific designation for data centers.
“One of the things I’m most concerned about is protecting the long-term interests of Broken Arrow,” he said. “While we have gathered a considerable amount of information, there are still some important questions that need to be answered.”
He also is recommending a public forum be held to give the public updates on the study and answer questions they might have. Spurgeon explained the moratorium was not about opposition, nor should it be interpreted that way.
“The purpose is to pause and ensure that we have the facts, policies, and regulations necessary to make an informed decision.”
