Foley approves 6-month moratorium on data centers, crypto-mining facilities

FOLEY, Ala. (NBC 15) — Foley has put a temporary halt on new data center-related proposals while city leaders study how such facilities could affect the community.

The Foley City Council voted Tuesday, Sept. 8, to approve the final reading of an ordinance establishing a six-month moratorium. The ordinance is now in effect and restricts the acceptance, processing, approval and consideration of applications for data centers, Bitcoin and cryptocurrency mining facilities, server farms and similar technically oriented uses, facilities and operations.

Mayor Ralph Hellmich said no data centers have been proposed for the Foley area, but the moratorium is intended to give the city time to prepare ordinances and guidelines in case an application is submitted in the future.

“This way we can review all of our regulations, environmental, zoning, and make sure everything coordinates so that if, in the future, any of one of these types of industries come to us, we’re prepared,” Hellmich said. “We want to have the answers if they show up, so that all the right questions are asked.”

“We want to make sure that our city has all the questions answered before anybody shows up,” he added.

Hellmich said Foley’s city-owned electrical provider, Riviera Utilities, has requirements that would affect any data centers built in the area.