Escambia Commission To Consider Hearings For 12-Month Data Center Moratorium

September 8, 2026

This week, the Escambia County Commission is set to consider setting a public hearing on the way to establishing a data center moratorium, which will be in addition to previous anti-data center actions.

In July, the commission approved a resolution going on record to memorialize its interpretation that data centers are not allowed as principal uses under the Escambia County Land Development Code. And, in August, the commission approved an ordinance banning large-scale data centers.

On Thursday, the BOCC will consider advertising two public hearings in order to vote on a 12-month moratorium on “certain data center facilities.” As currently drafted, the ordinance would impose the moratorium on data centers with an anticipated monthly peak load of at least 10 megawatts but less than 50 megawatts to allow county staff time “to evaluate the potential impacts of such facilities on public infrastructure, natural resources, and surrounding communities and to determine whether additional action is necessary or appropriate.”

At or above 50 megawatts, a state law kicks in to ensure large-scale data centers pay for their own energy and infrastructure costs instead of shifting those expenses onto residential and small business utility ratepayers.

If the commission moves forward at its meeting on Thursday, September 10, the moratorium public hearings will be held October 1 at 5:31 p.m. and October 15 at 9:01 a.m.

To read the complete orginance, click here (pdf).

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Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under TOP STORIES