The Data Center Divide
A policy snapshot ahead of the 2026 midterms. Mapping data center incentives, restrictions, and bans through legislation, regulations, and executive actions across all 50 states and 1,462 local jurisdictions.
City of Dover
This restriction takes precedence while in effect. The rating below excludes temporary restrictions.
Anti-Data Center Policies
Dover has enacted an 18-month pause on reviewing proposed data centers using more than 30 megawatts, delaying covered projects but not permanently banning them; smaller centers are not reported as covered.
Rating from Kent County as there are no scored current or future laws outside temporary restrictions for City of Dover.
current law · City of DoverPauses review of proposed data centers in Dover that use more than 30 megawatts of electricity for 18 months.Dover Ordinance 2026-14 (2026)
What this means
The 18-month moratorium would pause city review of proposed data centers using more than 30 megawatts, substantially delaying new projects. It is temporary rather than a permanent ban, and smaller data centers are not reported as covered.
Timing
The City's notice confirms a Data Center Moratorium. Spotlight Delaware reports an 18-month pause. Exact commencement, expiration, extension and early-termination provisions were not verified from final text; no calendar expiration is inferred.
People behind it
- Donyale M. Hall
Councilwoman; introduced the ordinance.
- David L. Anderson
Councilman; moved to incorporate the amendment expressly defining a data center during first reading. Formal co-sponsor designation was not independently verified.
Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements2
Adopted Data Center Moratorium, restricting development temporarily rather than establishing a verified permanent ban.
Adoption confirmed by City legal notice; final operative text unavailable for verification.
Reporting says the measure pauses the city’s official review of proposals, including data centers that use more than 30 megawatts of electricity.
Secondary-source description only; final threshold, covered approvals, definitions, exceptions and penalties not independently verified.
Benefits & exceptionsHide benefits & exceptions1
No affirmative incentive or development entitlement verified in final enacted text. Draft exemptions are not treated as enacted benefits.
Final enacted text not verified; this is an evidence limitation, not a finding that no exceptions exist.
Sources
Data provided by Regbase · Cookie preferences · Report missing data