Centralia Board of Aldermen to discuss data center ordinance at Monday meeting

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Centralia’s Board of Aldermen on Monday is expected to discuss the definition of what would be considered a data center within, should one be built within city limits.

City documents say the proposed definition would read as followed:

“DATA CENTER. A facility, or portion of a facility, the primary purpose of which is data processing, data storage, digital computation, cloud computing, colocation services, artificial intelligence training or processing high-performance computing, cryptocurrency or digital asset processing, elecommunications hosting, or similar high-density computing uses. A data center may include associated offices, mechanical equipment, cooling systems, backup power systems, substations, storage areas, security facilities, and other accessory improvements customarily incidental thereto. A data center shall not be housed in whole or in part within shipping containers, portable units, or other temporary or movable structures.”

Data centers would be subject to approval of a conditional use permit, per city documents. Some parameters listed includes the centers being located “within a permanent principal building or within permanent accessory structures,” meaning shipping containers or other portable units would not be allowed.

The construction and use of data centers has come under fire around the country within the past year. Data centers were proposed in Montgomery County, with residents pushing back over concerns of use of natural resources and energy. Ameren in November had announced an agreement that aims to put new rules on “large-load customers” such as data centers.