The Reno City Council voted six to one in favor of a moratorium on new data centers in the city on Monday evening.
The vote also included extending the moratorium to Augst 31 of 2027.
The single no vote was from Kathleen Taylor.
A text amendment on the issue passed unanimously.
This would mean new data centers could not apply for permits or licenses during that time, while the city drafts and adopts new regulations.
Death, taxes, and lots of interest centered around the contentious topic of data centers.
There were many public commenters at the meeting on Monday at Reno City Hall. Just like there's been at every meeting the council has had.
Last month, the council passed a pending moratorium resolution for new data centers, but it only lasts until June 13.
Monday's discussion centered around making that pause longer.
"You have a pretty comprehensive list, so I do want a comprehensive regulation. I don't want to say address two things, water and power," said Naomi Duerr, Reno City Councilmember, during the presentation.
The two components discussed included feedback on a text amendment.
This includes the number of concerns people have with data centers and a suggested process for how regulations could be adopted.
List of concerns staff found from community
Suggested process if moratorium is passed.
The second part included the moratorium itself.
Council could have either gone with the recommended date of December 31, 2026, make changes, or deny it.
With data centers expected to be a hot topic in the 2027 Nevada Legislative Session starting in February, councilmembers debated whether they should extend the date to see what legislators decide.
"I do worry that we are one small player in a statewide ecosystem, and I have talked with several legislators who say, ‘hey, things are coming,’" said Devon Reese, Reno City Councilmember.
"The danger is that, as my colleague said, the changes proposed by the legislature may not be adopted by the Governor or supported," Duerr said.
There were talks about this decision by the council feeling like a political stunt, given we are in an election year.
"Every two years we have an election cycle, and there's always going to be issues that get brought up," said Miguel Martinez, Reno Vice Mayor.
Reno Mayor Hilary Schieve and Duerr are termed out.
Councilmember Meghan Ebert is running for reelection in Ward 4, and Reese and Councilmember Kathleen Taylor are running for mayor.
As a reminder, if new regulations are created and adopted by the council, they will only impact new data centers.
The six existing data centers in the Reno city limits will not be impacted.
