Delaware2025Passed Legislature
SB353
Temporary Pause on Large Data Center Projects
Last scannedAug 24, 2026, 10:01 AM
In one sentence
This bill stops the approval of new large-scale data centers in Delaware until January 31, 2027.
What it does
- Stops all applications and permits for building new data centers that use at least 100 megawatts of power.
- Defines a 'data center' as a facility with buildings used to store or process digital data using equipment like servers, routers, and switches, which uses or can use 100 megawatts of power or more.
- Requires county governments, cities, and other local authorities to deny construction approvals for these facilities during the pause.
- Orders the General Assembly to create working groups, hold public hearings, and commission studies on data center impacts.
Who it affects
- Companies or developers seeking permits for new large-scale data centers in Delaware.
- County governments, municipalities, and other local authorities that issue construction approvals.
- The General Assembly members who must form working groups and conduct studies.
Limits and unknowns
- The pause ends on January 31, 2027, unless the General Assembly extends or cancels it earlier.
- This bill only applies to facilities using 100 megawatts of power or more; smaller data centers are not mentioned.
Plain language
Terms to know
- Moratorium
- A temporary official order to stop a specific activity or process.
- Data center
- Under this law, a building that stores and processes digital data using equipment like servers and routers, requiring at least 100 megawatts of power.
Official record
Sources
Official summary
AN ACT TO AMEND THE LAWS OF DELAWARE RELATING TO A MORATORIUM ON DATA CENTER DEVELOPMENT.