San Francisco hits pause on data centers
4 hours ago
- The San Francisco Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a 45-day moratorium on new data centers for AI technology.
- The moratorium pauses city approvals and tasks the Planning Department with studying impacts on energy, water, air quality, land use, and community.
- The moratorium can be extended up to 22 months, though future extension is uncertain.
- District 10, which already has two data centers, may have been targeted for a third, prompting local health concerns.
- Several other Bay Area cities (Oakley, Richmond, Gilroy) have similar moratoriums, while Oakland and Hayward are considering them.
- Residents and community groups supported the moratorium due to health disparities caused by industrial facilities in District 10.
- Supervisor Shamann Walton made the moratorium a priority before terming out in January 2025.