Leominster pauses data centers and battery storage for one year

The Leominster City Council approved a one-year moratorium on developing data centers and battery storage sites, effective until July 31, 2027, to allow the city time to research their impacts. The vote was 8-0, with one councilor absent. The pause addresses concerns over data centers' high water and electricity consumption, potentially using 5 million gallons daily, and fire risks from battery storage, which saw 35 large-scale fires from 2012 to 2024. Two existing battery projects in Leominster are exempt from the moratorium. Council President Claire Freda introduced the measure to prepare for future proposals, while other Massachusetts communities like Fitchburg and Southbridge are considering similar actions. Governor Maura Healey recently signed an executive order requiring community consent for data center development.