Data center rules for Tuolumne County
Summary
Supervisor Campbell wanted a 45-day emergency moratorium on data centers; the board instead voted 5-0 to have staff draft actual rules covering water, power, siting, and fees for these huge facilities.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 3
- Last 30 days
- 1
Discussed at 2 meetings in the last 60 days; most recently Oct 21, 2026.
Impact analysis
One data center could use as much power as half the county, and officials cited potential $30 million-a-year fee benefits if properly regulated.
Residents gain a chance to set rules before any project arrives; supporters of regulation say this prevents a Dollar General-style gap.
Supervisor Holland argued a moratorium signals the county is closed for business and could forfeit beneficial projects like one at the Harvard Mine site.
Mentions & discussions (3)
Tuolumne County Planning Commission - Oct 21, 2026
The Board of Supervisors directed planning staff to draft rules for data centers, and the commission held its first input session. Nearly every speaker opposed data centers entirely, citing water use, power demand, noise, health risks, and distrust of the supervisor majority. Commissioners leaned toward requiring public-hearing conditional use permits with no CEQA exemptions, and floated regulating by power usage.
Board of Supervisors - Oct 6, 2026
County planners announced a community open house on data center rules, part of developing an ordinance the board requested.
Board of Supervisors - Sep 1, 2026
Supervisor Campbell wanted a 45-day emergency moratorium on data centers; the board instead voted 5-0 to have staff draft actual rules covering water, power, siting, and fees for these huge facilities.
Related development
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