From Fairbanks to the Mat-Su Valley and Cook Inlet, Alaskans are raising questions about large-scale data center development, environmental protections, and the use of public resources. Here’s what is happening and how you can participate.
Across Alaska, proposals for large-scale data centers are moving forward, raising important questions about electricity demand, water resources, public lands, environmental impacts, and the long-term costs and benefits to local communities.
While data centers are often promoted as opportunities for economic development, many Alaskans are asking a more fundamental question: Should these developments be allowed to move forward before communities have established regulations to protect their residents and resources?
Several Alaska municipalities are beginning to address that question. Fairbanks is considering a temporary moratorium, Houston has already adopted one, Anchorage has established new zoning requirements, and the Matanuska-Susitna Borough has begun considering similar action.
The Northern Alaska Environmental Center (NAEC), alongside Alaskans for Data Center Accountability (ADCA), is working to ensure that communities have access to information and meaningful opportunities to participate in decisions that could affect Alaska for generations.
Fairbanks: Public Hearing on Data Center Moratorium – November 10
The Fairbanks North Star Borough Planning Commission will consider Ordinance No. 2026-42, a proposal to temporarily suspend land use permits for large-scale data centers through December 31, 2027.
The proposed moratorium would provide the Borough with time to evaluate potential impacts, update its Comprehensive Plan, and develop land use regulations specifically addressing data centers.
Currently, the Borough’s zoning code does not define data centers or establish specific standards for their operation. The Borough’s Community Planning Department supports the moratorium and has recommended amendments to broaden its applicability.
Under the proposal, a large-scale data center would include a facility meeting at least one of the following criteria:
- An aggregate peak electrical demand of 5 megawatts or more.
- More than 50,000 square feet devoted to data center operations, with planning staff recommending a reduction to 40,000 square feet.
- Onsite electrical generation capacity of 5 megawatts or more.
During the moratorium, the Borough would study energy use, air quality, water resources, noise pollution, and other community impacts.
Public Meeting Information
- Date: Tuesday, November 10, 2026
- Time: 6:00 p.m.
- Location: Mona Lisa Drexler Assembly Chambers, 907 Terminal Street, Fairbanks
- Meeting materials: https://fnsb.portal.civicclerk.com/event/5763/overview
Residents are encouraged to attend, provide testimony, and submit written comments supporting appropriate public oversight of large-scale data center development.
Mat-Su Borough: Data Center Moratorium Discussions Continue – November 17
The Matanuska-Susitna Borough is also considering how to address large-scale data center development.
On October 20, the Borough Assembly considered Resolution RS 26-117, which called for a statewide moratorium on data centers exceeding 20 megawatts and directed preparation of a proposed six-month local moratorium.
The assembly voted 6-1 to pull the resolution entirely, and it was not discussed.
Concerned Mat-Su residents are encouraged to attend the November 17 Assembly meeting and provide public testimony requesting that the proposed moratorium be revisited and brought back for further public discussion.
Residents can ask Assembly members to reconsider the proposal, engage communities in developing appropriate protections, and provide opportunities for meaningful public input before large-scale data center developments move forward.
Meeting Information
- Date: Tuesday, November 17, 2026
- Time: 6:00 p.m.
- Location: Mat-Su Borough Assembly Chambers, 350 East Dahlia Avenue, Palmer
- Written comments: leg.com@matsu.gov
- Telephone testimony: 1-855-225-2326; press *3 when invited to testify
- Meeting Agenda: https://matsu.gov/public-notices/assembly-notice-of-public-hearing-11-17-26-meeting
Houston and Anchorage: Other Alaska Communities Are Taking Action
Other Alaska communities have already begun addressing the regulatory challenges associated with large-scale data centers.
Houston: Two-Year Moratorium Adopted
On October 8, the City of Houston unanimously adopted Ordinance No. 26-20, establishing a two-year moratorium on data center development within city limits.
The decision followed an earlier unsuccessful proposal to permanently prohibit data centers. rather than imposing an outright ban, Houston’s temporary moratorium provides time for the community to consider appropriate regulations through its planning and zoning process.
Anchorage: New Data Center Zoning Requirements
In March 2026, the Anchorage Assembly adopted new land use requirements for data centers and similar energy-intensive facilities.
Under Anchorage’s framework, facilities exceeding 12,000 square feet or requiring at least 3 megawatts of electricity are classified as large data centers.
Together, these municipal actions demonstrate that Alaska communities are beginning to recognize the need for specific regulations rather than relying on zoning provisions developed before today’s energy-intensive data center industry emerged.
Alaska’s Communities Deserve a Voice
As interest in large-scale data center development continues to grow, Alaska communities should not be left reacting to decisions that have already been made.
Public transparency, environmental protections, infrastructure planning, and meaningful community involvement must be central to how these proposals are evaluated.
Development decisions made today could shape Alaska’s energy systems, public lands, water resources, and local economies for decades.
The Northern Alaska Environmental Center will continue working alongside communities and partners through Alaskans for Data Center Accountability to monitor proposed projects, share information, and encourage meaningful public participation.