Clinton council deadlocks on moratorium after hours of testimony on proposed data center

Clinton City Council failed to advance an amended ordinance imposing a moratorium on hyperscale data centers after a night of extended public testimony and split council votes. The council amended the proposed moratorium to require a minimum of 120 days or until a replacement ordinance is adopted, then declined to waive additional readings and the first reading as amended ultimately failed.

The meeting on June 9 drew many residents and dozens of speakers — mostly from neighborhoods near the site under consideration — who urged the council to slow the process so independent environmental, public‑health and economic studies could be completed. "Enacting a 120‑day moratorium will give the council the proper time to interpret research, investigate other local legislation that is being enacted, and pass their own legislation to protect this community," said Sarah Dunn, a local resident who asked the council for a firm 120‑day pause. Many speakers cited concerns about groundwater, electric demand, noise, property values and the scale of tax incentives under discussion.

Opposing viewpoints also appeared. Ian Bushbomb, representing local electricians, said construction and long‑term maintenance could create sustained local work for trades. Sherry Monahan of ITC Midwest told the council that large projects can spread transmission costs and, if managed, can improve infrastructure reliability. "When a data center or other large energy user connects to the energy system, that customer covers the cost of the infrastructure needed to serve them," Alliant Energy community engagement team member Kylie Miller said in a prepared statement to the council, arguing that load growth can help stabilize base rates through 2030.

Iowa American Water addressed the most frequent technical concern — water supply. Scott Hinton of Iowa American Water said Clinton’s system draws from the Jordan aquifer and that the utility treats roughly three million gallons per day on average with capacity near eight million gallons per day. He stated projected water use for the proposed site would be a small fraction of Clinton’s capacity and that, under Iowa Utilities Commission rules, developers pay for required water‑system extensions.

During council deliberations Council member Janet Turpin moved to amend the draft moratorium ordinance to guarantee the 120‑day minimum "or until completion of the ordinance process, whichever is later." The council approved the amendment, but a later motion to waive the normal two additional readings and adopt the ordinance that night failed to secure the three‑quarters vote required for immediate passage. After a call of the question and final roll call, the amended ordinance did not pass on first reading.

Council members spoke both for and against rushing a moratorium. "I promise to stand up for these people," Turpin said during debate, reflecting the intensity of the public comments. Other council members urged more time for fact‑finding and direct engagement with utilities and developers; city staff and council members repeatedly said they are still in a fact‑finding stage and that no development agreement with the company under discussion — referred to in public records as "Project Saturday River" — had been executed.

The council did not adopt new permanent rules at the meeting. With the first reading unsuccessful, the council adjourned and listed June 23, 2026 as the next meeting date to continue regular business. Several residents said they intend to press for stricter ordinances or ballot measures if the council proceeds without comprehensive studies. The council did not vote on any development agreement or final approvals for the project during the June 9 session.