Hayward approves 45-day moratorium on new AI data centers

The East Bay actions follow a pattern of local governments stepping in as AI computing facilities multiply. Hayward's 45-day pause is explicitly framed as a timeout: staff will monitor and analyze the impacts of the four AI data centers already in operation and assess whether it is wise to approve two new 99-megawatt data centers proposed for the area of Arden Road and Corporate Avenue. The city also left the door open to extending the moratorium for two years.

Richmond's move is a longer extension, with its City Council voting to extend its current moratorium for more than 22 months. During public comment, Richmond resident Toronto Abbott said, "We're on the cusp of a really terrifying era," and expressed concerns about the impact on jobs and whether the wealth and power coming from data centers will benefit residents.

Pittsburg is not far behind: on Monday, its City Council directed staff to draft a 45-day moratorium on AI data centers in the city, and the council will consider that moratorium next Monday. Together, the three cities show how concerns over noise, electrical grid strain and water systems are translating into concrete local limits on new data-center development.