The Independence County Quorum Court has enacted a five-year moratorium on new commercial data centers, citing concerns about environmental and community impact. The ordinance, approved on Monday evening, halts such projects until August 31, 2031, while the county conducts further research and evaluates potential regulations.
According to the ordinance, the moratorium will allow officials to "investigate the nature of commercial data centers and explore the negative impact of any such project." Once the moratorium period concludes, the quorum court will determine appropriate permitting and regulatory measures.
County Judge Kevin Jeffery clarified the difference between data mining, which can involve small-scale operations, and large commercial data centers, which he described as a growing international issue. Justice of the Peace (JP) Tammy Pearce added that commercial data centers often require large plots of land, consume substantial amounts of water and electricity, and lack operational transparency.
“These centers have the most egregious issues," Pearce said. JP Brad Covington echoed these concerns, stating that a single facility could use resources on the scale of powering 10 cities like Batesville. “They’re good for AI but not good for the local community,” Covington said, noting that commercial data centers are typically unmanned and provide few or no local jobs.
Concerns over water usage were also raised. Covington and Pearce mentioned that chemicals used in these centers’ operations render discharged water contaminated and unusable. Pearce, who serves on the board of the Rock-Moore Public Water Authority, added that rural water utilities statewide are closely monitoring such developments due to their potential impact on water resources.
Nationally, large-scale data centers have come under scrutiny for their significant energy and water consumption. A June 2026 Associated Press report highlighted that global data centers consumed 448 trillion watt-hours of electricity in 2025, more than most nations, with usage projected to double within four years. Some Arkansas communities, including Independence County, have expressed similar concerns, joining protests against proposed developments in West Memphis, Clarksville, Little Rock, Conway, El Dorado, and Russellville.
While certain utility companies have pledged to make data centers bear the costs of upgrades to power supply systems, these assurances lack enforcement mechanisms. For example, an Oregon law requires large energy users to pay rates corresponding to their resource use. No comparable legislation exists in Arkansas.
The moratorium follows a 2025 opinion issued by Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin affirming counties' authority to impose restrictions on commercial ventures. Judge Jeffery emphasized that the measure is temporary and ensures the county has adequate time to determine its approach to potential future projects.
The Independence County Quorum Court addressed several other matters during Monday’s meeting, including plans for a pistol range expansion, funding adjustments for community initiatives, and routine departmental updates.
All justices of the peace were present for the meeting.