San Francisco Enacts 45-Day Moratorium on New Data Centers as AI Infrastructure Fuels Environmental Concerns

San Francisco's Board of Supervisors has unanimously approved a 45-day moratorium on new data center construction, the first such freeze in the Bay Area, as the city grapples with mounting concerns over energy consumption, air quality, and community impacts from AI infrastructure expansion. The temporary measure takes effect immediately, pausing at least two major projects—NOVVA's planned expansion from 9 to 36 megawatts at a 7.6-acre Bayview facility and a 160,000-square-foot data center proposed for Dogpatch—while city planners conduct environmental reviews.