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Community members press council for a moratorium on hyperscale data centers, citing water and climate risks
Summary
Speakers at the council meeting urged a ban or extended moratorium on hyperscale data centers in Cleveland, arguing they consume large amounts of water, strain the power grid, and provide few long‑term local jobs; commentors pointed to an upcoming July 15 date for further council consideration of moratoria.
Multiple public commenters urged Cleveland City Council to block or extend a moratorium on hyperscale data centers, citing environmental, water and economic concerns.
Tyler Male of the Cleveland Liberation Center told the council that a single hyperscale data center can consume and potentially contaminate "up to 5 million gallons of fresh water every single day" and said the projects would drive up electricity costs, increase greenhouse gas emissions from backup generators and produce only temporary construction jobs. He urged council to reject proposals that were advanced without adequate community input and called for a moratorium longer than one year.
Adrien Freeman, speaking earlier in public comment, referenced the mayor's statement at a City Club forum that "data centers have no future in the city of Cleveland" and said that was a positive sign; he also praised council leadership for pushing an emergency moratorium. Residents at the meeting said developers attempted to move projects forward in Slavic Village without sufficient community notice and recommended transparent, community‑driven planning.
Council did not take a final vote on a citywide ban during the meeting; the transcript includes public commenters urging council to act before a future meeting (commenters referenced July 15 as the next council date where the issue might be addressed). Several ordinances and resolutions related to development, TIFs and energy projects were read during the session and will proceed through committee and administrative review.
Advocates urged council to prioritize local water security and climate resilience and to require community consultation and environmental safeguards if data center proposals advance.
