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Resident urges moratorium on AI and crypto data centers; selectboard adds town-meeting article
Summary
Jane asked the Royalton Selectboard to place an article on the March 3 town-meeting warning proposing a moratorium on siting and construction of AI and crypto data centers; the board voted to include a town-wide resolve to reflect a moratorium in the town plan and will finalize language with the planning commission.
Jane asked the Royalton Selectboard for space on the March 3 town-meeting warning to propose "a town ban or moratorium on data center construction," presenting slides with national examples and power-use data. "I'm here this evening to request to be included in the agenda for town meeting day on March 3 to propose a town ban or moratorium on data center construction," she said.
Jane cited industry examples and Department of Energy estimates to argue that large data centers can rapidly consume substantial land and power. She referenced a state Senate bill (S205) and said the state-level moratorium proposal shows communities are beginning to push back. "Data centers consume 4.4% of US power in 2023, and it could hit 12% at this level of growth by 2028," she told the board, urging local caution.
Board members and residents debated process options — adding a blurb to the town report, presenting a floor article on town meeting day, or pursuing a formal town-plan amendment. Several members argued a town-meeting article would give voters direct input; one member recommended broader language targeted at "businesses that consume large amounts of resources, such as data centers," to reduce legal vulnerability and to provide a definable standard the planning commission can refine.
At the meeting's close, the Selectboard voted to add Article 8 to the town-meeting warning. The proposed text, as moved by a board member, reads in substance: "Shall the voters resolve to adopt a policy, to be reflected in the town plan, to impose a moratorium on the siting and construction of AI and crypto data centers in Royalton?" The motion carried.
The board asked Jane to submit a short blurb for the town report and scheduled a special meeting for the selectboard and planning commission to finalize article language before printing deadlines. The planning commission will draft specific town-plan language (power, water or emission thresholds) if the voters affirm the resolve.
Next steps: Jane will submit a draft blurb to the town administrator; the planning commission and selectboard will work quickly on precise language and any follow-up motion for a town-plan amendment if the article passes.
