FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 7, 2026

Contact: Ben Inskeep, Program Director, binskeep@citact.org 

INDIANAPOLIS — 27 public interest organizations are urging local governments across Indiana to immediately enact a moratorium on new data center development, permitting, and construction to allow adequate time for reasonable policies and regulations to be enacted that protect Hoosiers from harmful impacts. 

Organizations signing on to the call for a data center moratorium include:  

A moratorium is a temporary pause that would provide elected officials with time to evaluate the potential impacts of data centers, hear from constituents, and develop appropriate and protective zoning and permitting regulations, to the extent they decide to allow this type of development. A moratorium can be indefinite or for a defined period. 

“AI data centers are the number one threat to utility affordability, reliability, and environmental sustainability in Indiana,” said Ben Inskeep, CAC Program Director. “Elected officials should ensure that there are adequate rules in place to protect their constituents from the extremely harmful impacts that a data center can impose on a community.”

Dozens of local governments across the country have pumped the brakes on hasty data center development, including 13 counties in Indiana that have already passed a moratorium or prohibition. Local governments and residents cite concerns about noise, water use, electricity supply, utility affordability, pollution, the cost of subsidies, property values, a lack of transparency, harmful uses and impacts of artificial intelligence technology, and long-term infrastructure strain, among other concerns. 

Approximately 60 large data center proposals have been made in Indiana over the past two years, yet few local governments have ordinances in place expressly addressing this type of development. Furthermore, the General Assembly has prioritized subsidies and favorable regulation incenting data centers over protections for residents. This policy gap leaves Hoosiers vulnerable to large, harmful impacts from data center development, necessitating a moratorium until it can be fully addressed.

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About Black Lives Matter South Bend

Black Lives Matter South Bend is a racial Justice organization working to end state-sanction violence, promote environmental justice and genuine investment in Black communities, support and protect LGBTQI persons, and empower Black communities through direct outreach and education. 

About Black Sun Light Sustainability

Black Sun Light Sustainability (BSLS) mission is to support the radical transformation and resistance of communities in Indiana by using renewable energy as a conduit to collaborate connect and support the change of communities both domestically and abroad.

About Carmel Green Initiative

Carmel Green Initiative, Inc. is a non-profit, founded in 2008. Carmel Green Initiative’s mission is to build a more sustainable and resilient community. 

About Cass County Citizens Coalition

Citizens working together for a prosperous future for Cass County. No matter what side you're on (right, left, neither), if you care about our environment and the health of the people of Cass County, you are welcome! We support the vision of a safer environment and transparency of Cass County.

About Citizens Action Coalition

CAC is Indiana's oldest and largest consumer and environmental advocacy organization. Since its inception in 1974, CAC has helped to save Hoosiers more than $10 billion in excess utility charges. CAC advocates on behalf of Hoosiers on issues regarding energy policy, utility reform, health care, pollution prevention, and family farms. CAC’s activities include research, public education, organizing citizens, creating public awareness, lobbying legislators, intervening in utility cases before the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission, and litigating when necessary.

About Decatur Township Civic Council

The Decatur Township Civic Council (DTCC) is a Neighborhood Association, founded in 1953, that represents residents of Decatur Township, Marion County.  A main focus of the DTCC is desirable development, its location, and appropriate zoning regulations; the combination of which has an indelible impact on our community.

About Direct Action Against CenterPoint Energy

DAACE’s mission is to facilitate and affect economic and environmental justice solutions for captive utility ratepayers in southwestern Indiana through public education, civic engagement, advocacy, and community building.

About Earth Charter Indiana

Earth Charter Indiana exists to inspire and advance sustainable, just and peaceful living in Indiana by promoting the values and principles of the Earth Charter. Through education, engagement and advocacy, we support schools, municipalities, and mission-aligned organizations in building local resilience.

About Faith in Place

Faith in Place is a nonprofit organization working with people of diverse faiths across Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin to promote healthy communities, responsible stewardship, and practical solutions to environmental challenges. Through education, outreach, and community partnerships, Faith in Place helps faith communities and local leaders engage issues related to energy, public health, and care for our shared environment.

About Greater Troy Neighborhood Association (GTNA)

GTNA represents the land-use and zoning interests of residents in the area bounded by Raymond/Brookville Road,  Carroll Road, Vandergriff Road, and Post Road on the southeast side of Indianapolis.

About Hoosier Action

Hoosier Action exists to cultivate community leaders and collaborative solutions to address local problems

About Hoosier Environmental Council

Hoosier Environmental Council leads and collaborates with diverse coalitions to achieve a healthy natural environment and thriving sustainable communities.

About Just Transition Northwest Indiana

JTNWI is an environmental justice nonprofit organization serving Northwest Indiana, which has historically been treated as an environmental sacrifice zone by heavy industry. Grounded in the Just Transition framework, born of the U.S. labor movement, JTNWI seeks to realize a just transition to a regenerative economy that centers good union jobs, a healthy environment, and the leadership of frontline residents and fossil fuel workers most affected by pollution. JTNWI advocates for holding polluters accountable, advancing equitable energy solutions, and creating dynamic cultural spaces for communities to thrive, including through the Community Over Big Tech rapid-response campaign addressing the buildout of AI data centers. Learn more at www.jtnwi.org.

About Marion County Alliance of Neighborhood Associations

Marion County Alliance of Neighborhood Associations (McANA) has represented Neighborhood groups throughout the County since 1990.  McANA works with elected officials and through the public process on important county-wide issues affecting the quality of life of our residents.

About Miami-Cass Counties Coalition for Utility & Environmental Protection

We are a community-led coalition advocating for responsible land use, protection of water and energy resources, and transparent decision-making in Miami and Cass Counties to protect the long-term interests of residents, agriculture, and future generations.

About Protect Decatur Township

Our mission is to advocate for the neighbors fighting the Sabey data center in Decatur Township. We are a nonpartisan organization, and operate with the values of transparency, community, inclusion, and nonviolence.

About Protect Grant County

Strong communities deserve development that respects the people, land, and future of the citizens who call them home. Our mission is to protect property rights, preserve farmland and natural resources, and defend our environment from the long-term impacts of unchecked data center expansion. We stand against policies that shift the burden of rising utility costs onto families while corporate interests receive preferential treatment at the public’s expense. We demand transparency, accountability, and honest public engagement from local government so every citizen has a voice in decisions that permanently shape our communities.

About Protect Henry County

We are committed to protecting Henry County’s people and resources through responsible, transparent development that serves the long-term good of our community.

About Protect Morgan County

Established to inform local residents of a secretive Google Data Center that spans nearly 600 acres of once agricultural land. Google’s lack of collaboration with the local population, avoidance of paying taxes and the costs to supply their electricity remains a focus for PMC.

About Shelby County Citizens Against Data Centers

Shelby County Citizens Against Data Centers was formed to bring a community together to research, become involved in community and government policies, and fight against the local governments stand on data centers. This group has now evolved into involvement on all local government decisions that impact local citizens.

About Sierra Club Hoosier Chapter

The Sierra Club is the oldest, largest, and most influential grassroots environmental organization in the United States, with more than three million members and supporters. The Hoosier Chapter was formed in 1975 with 7,700 members spread across the Hoosier State. Our passion is to explore, enjoy, and protect wild places. 

About Warrick County Data Center Discussion

Warrick County Data Center Discussion is a grassroots group formed by Warrick County, Indiana residents concerned about proposed hyperscale and AI data centers in the area.

About Washington, IN Residents Against Data Center

The residents of Daviess County, Indiana are working diligently to stop the production of a data center in our rural town. Daviess County is the definition of a small, farming, family oriented community and we intend to work tirelessly to continue to preserve our way of life, health, and precious farmland.