Portage MI data center and BESS moratorium (2026)
Portage, MI — City Council Moratorium on Data Centers and Battery Energy Storage Systems (Approved March 2026); Staff Warn an Extension May Be Needed
Portage, MI · Portage, Mich. City Council moratorium on data centers and BESS (March 2026)
- Status
- In effect
- Applies to
- Data center and BESS developers in Portage
- Enforced by
- City of Portage
Portage's City Council approved a moratorium on data centers and battery energy storage systems in March 2026. WMUK reported it lasts through the end of 2026; WKZO calls it a one-year moratorium. In September, city staff told the council they have a model data center ordinance but must first finish an industrial and commercial rezoning plan, so the moratorium may need to be extended.
Who is protected: Portage residents
Legal detail
Portage, Mich. (Kalamazoo County) — City Council moratorium covering data centers and battery energy storage systems (BESS). ADOPTION: approved by the council in March 2026 (WKZO: 'The clock started ticking ... in March, when it was approved'; WMUK report dated Mar 26, 2026). TERM CONFLICT: WMUK says it 'lasts through the end of 2026'; WKZO calls it a 'one-year moratorium'. expires_date left null. STATUS UPDATE (WKZO, Sept 23, 2026): City Development Officer Peter Dame presented the Planning Commission work plan on Sept 22; a model ordinance template exists but needs work; the industrial and commercial rezoning plan must be finished first; draft rezoning changes will take at least a couple of months; an extension may be needed. WKZO also reports the City of Kalamazoo has paused data centers and BESS. NOT ESTABLISHED: exact adoption date, ordinance number, expiry date.
Key facts
| Jurisdiction | Portage, MI |
|---|---|
| Level | City / local |
| Strength | Moderate |
| Citation | Portage, Mich. City Council moratorium on data centers and BESS (March 2026) |
| 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 | Portage hits 'pause' on data centers and BESS facilities — WMUK (Mar. 26, 2026) |
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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