Leominster MA data center + battery storage moratoriums (2026)
Leominster, MA — City Council Votes 8-0 for Moratoriums on Data Centers and Battery Storage Sites Through July 31, 2027 (September 2026)
Leominster, MA · Leominster, MA — City Council data center and battery storage moratoriums (Sept. 28, 2026; through July 31, 2027)
- Status
- In effect
- Expires
- July 31, 2027
- Applies to
- Developers of data centers and battery energy storage sites in Leominster
- Enforced by
- City of Leominster
Leominster's City Council voted 8-0 on September 28, 2026 to approve two moratoriums — one on developing data centers and one on battery storage sites — both in effect until July 31, 2027. Council President Claire Freda, who introduced them, said the pause gives the city time to write an ordinance regulating these facilities. The council rejected a suggested amendment to limit the data center pause to AI data centers and passed the petition as written. Two battery storage projects already underway are not affected.
Who is protected: Leominster residents
Legal detail
Two separate 8-0 votes, Monday Sept. 28, 2026 (Worcester Telegram; MassLive). Both moratoriums run until July 31, 2027 (stated in both sources). Introduced by Council President and Councilor-at-Large Claire Freda. Ward 5 Councilor Carrie Noseworthy was absent and, by letter, recommended amending the data center petition to pause only AI data centers; the council passed Freda's petition without changes. Battery storage: two projects already underway (Lancaster Street and Willard Street) are not paused; city attorney Amy Kwesell advised developers may go to the Massachusetts Energy Facilities Siting Board after a moratorium ends, and battery projects of 100 MW or more do not need local approval. NOT ESTABLISHED: ordinance/petition numbers; exact definitions. Earlier history: public hearing Sept. 14, 2026, after which the council granted further time pending a Planning Board recommendation and continued the hearing to Sept. 28 (News Link Live, per merged draft; not re-opened).
Key facts
| Jurisdiction | Leominster, MA |
|---|---|
| Level | City / local |
| Strength | Moderate |
| Enacted | September 28, 2026 |
| Citation | Leominster, MA — City Council data center and battery storage moratoriums (Sept. 28, 2026; through July 31, 2027) |
| Private right of action | No, agency enforcement only |
| Penalties | Not stated in the located sources |
| Topics | data-center siting and energy · government use of AI |
| News report | Central Mass. city approves 1-year moratorium on data centers, battery storage sites — MassLive |
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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