Broward to discuss temporary ban on new large-scale data centers

Driving the news: Commissioner Lamar Fisher proposes that the county drafts an ordinance creating a one-one year moratorium on large-scale data centers in unincorporated parts of the county.

What's he saying: "With electric and water, I just want to make sure that we understand it and see if we want to do something about it or not," Fisher tells Axios.

• Because the unincorporated area is primarily residential, Fisher says he wants to ensure residents are protected from having a massive data center next to single-family homes.

Zoom out: Multiple counties throughout the state — Palm Beach, Leon, Martin and Manatee — have temporarily banned large scale data centers as their staff research data center impacts and try to develop land regulations.

• Concerns over water, noise and electricity have fueled a nationwide backlash to data centers.

State of play: There are at least four active data centers in Broward, according to the U.S. Data Centers and Infrastructure map by Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy.

• Florida is expected to have almost a dozen large data centers by the end of the year.