PASCO COUNTY, Fla. — The Pasco County Board of County Commissioners approved a one-year moratorium on large-scale data centers.
Commissioners unanimously voted to approve the measure establishing a temporary pause on applications for building permits and site plans related to large-scale data centers.
The updated moratorium language says server rooms and computer rooms using no more than 2.5 megawatts of electricity are exempt. The previous version had set that limit at 10 megawatts.
"This moratorium is rock solid for us and we don’t have to worry about data centers for a year," Pasco County Board Chair Jack Mariano said.
WATCH: Large-scale data center moratorium in Pasco County approved with unanimous vote
Tampa Bay 28 reporter Annette Gutierrez has been covering the concerns voiced by residents in the Pasco County area about environmental impacts, electricity demands and more. Dozens of residents were at today's meeting adding they have concerns with water use, impacts on wildlife, property values, noise, and even potential health impacts.
During public comment, one person said, "It’s a very scary time for our generation - we don’t know what’s going to happen, and we already can’t afford anything."
While many support the temporary pause, others argue the decision may be politically motivated.
"I’m very skeptical, but I’m glad that they did it," Emerson Martin said.
"I'm always suspicious when a totally republican group like the Board of County commissioners steps forward and does something a little unexpected during election year," Margaret St. James said.
Others say they want a permanent band.
"We don’t need more data centers right now. We do not need the oligarchs to be in charge of our country - we need us to be in charge," Jennifer Childers said.
"I am 20 years old and what I’m seeing in college classes and in high school classes is that students are using AI to solve solve problems and get answers without actually doing the real work. So there is going to be a brain drain a lack of of knowledge being spread amongst the youth," Jose Freitas said.
This is the end of the conversation in Pasco for now — but many residents said it’s important to keep up with the research the county staff conducts on these data centers.
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