Hualapai Tribe (AZ) hyperscale data center moratorium (2026)
Hualapai Tribe — Moratorium on Hyperscale Data Center Development on Hualapai Reservation (September 2026)
Hualapai Tribe (AZ) · Hualapai Tribal Council resolution (approx. September 2026; prior opposition resolution approx. August 20, 2026)
- Status
- In effect
- Took effect
- September 14, 2026
- Applies to
- Any entity seeking to develop hyperscale data centers on or adjacent to Hualapai Reservation lands.
- Enforced by
- Hualapai Tribal Council / Hualapai tribal government
The Hualapai Tribal Council in northern Arizona enacted a moratorium on hyperscale data center development within the Hualapai Reservation in September 2026, building on an opposition resolution passed approximately August 20, 2026. The Hualapai Nation controls nearly one million acres and shares a 108-mile border with the Colorado River. The Tribal Council stated that hyperscale data centers — which power AI and can consume hundreds of millions of gallons of water annually — pose 'a direct and severe threat to the tribe's sacred water, lands, environment and way of life.' The moratorium asserts that no outside entity or private developer may use, damage, or compromise tribal resources without the tribe's free, prior, and informed consent. Chairman Duane Clarke stated: 'Moving forward, we will always protect our air. We will always protect our land, and we will always protect our water.' The Colorado River Basin is facing critical water shortages, which the Tribal Council cited as a primary driver of the action.
Who is protected: Hualapai tribal members and the tribe's water, land, environment, and cultural resources along the Colorado River corridor in northwestern Arizona.
Legal detail
Hualapai Tribal Council resolution enacted September 2026 (precise date confirmed as approximately September 14 per KJZZ, KUNC, KSUT, Wyoming Public Media, Utah Public Radio reporting). TWO-STAGE ACTION: (1) Opposition resolution: adopted approximately August 20, 2026 (KNAU article August 24, 2026 reports 'Hualapai Tribal Council passes opposition resolution to data centers on the reservation'); (2) Formal moratorium: enacted September 2026. The moratorium prohibits 'irresponsible development of hyperscale data centers' on the Hualapai Reservation. Key operative provision: 'no outside entity or private developer may use, damage or compromise' tribal resources 'without the tribe's free, prior and informed consent.' Grounds: Colorado River Basin critical water shortages; light pollution; wastewater and related environmental and community impacts; cultural resources. Tribal geography: Hualapai Reservation, Mohave and Coconino Counties, Arizona; approximately 1 million acres; 108-mile Colorado River border; Grand Canyon South Rim border. Chairman Duane Clarke.
Key facts
| Jurisdiction | Hualapai Tribe (AZ) |
|---|---|
| Level | State |
| Strength | Stronger |
| Enacted | September 14, 2026 |
| Citation | Hualapai Tribal Council resolution (approx. September 2026; prior opposition resolution approx. August 20, 2026) |
| Private right of action | No, agency enforcement only |
| Penalties | Tribal government will not authorize prohibited development; free prior and informed consent required; tribal law enforcement powers apply on reservation lands. |
| Topics | data-center siting and energy · government use of AI |
| News report | Hualapai Tribe enacts moratorium to halt 'irresponsible development of hyperscale data centers' — KJZZ (Phoenix NPR) |
More AI rules in Hualapai Tribe (AZ)
Related data-center siting and energy rules elsewhere
- Superior WI Data Center Moratorium (1-year) · In effect
- Dane County WI Hyperscale Data Center Moratorium · In effect
- Madison WI Data Center Moratorium (1-year) · In effect
- Manitowoc County WI Data Center Moratorium · In effect
- WA SB 5982 (Data Center / Clean Energy) · In effect
- Dayton OH data center moratorium (180-day, Apr 2026) · In effect
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