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 Westfield
This restriction takes precedence while in effect. The rating below excludes temporary restrictions.
Mixed Data Center Policies
Westfield has enacted a temporary measure barring data-center construction, expansion, and operation and pausing pending applications until July 6, 2027, though its description also uses conditional wording.
Rating from Massachusetts statewide as there are no scored current or future laws outside temporary restrictions for City of Westfield.
current law · City of WestfieldProhibits data center construction, expansion, conversion, establishment, or operation in Westfield until July 6, 2027, and pauses related applications already in progress.Westfield temporary data-center moratorium (2026)
What this means
If enacted, the measure would prohibit data center construction, expansion, and operation until July 6, 2027, and pause pending applications (prohibited until July 6, 2027). This is a severe but temporary barrier, so it fits -4 rather than a permanent ban.
Timing
- Ends
- Jul 6, 2027
The moratorium ends on this date, unless permanent data-center zoning regulations take effect earlier. It may be extended once for up to 180 days if the Board of Health finds additional time is needed to protect public health or the environment.
People behind it
- City Council’s Natural Resources Committee
Tasked with reviewing the data center moratorium’s environmental, public health, and infrastructure impacts.
Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements4
The permitting, construction, expansion, conversion, establishment, and operation of data centers are prohibited until July 6, 2027. The moratorium ends earlier if permanent data-center zoning regulations take effect, and may be extended once for up to 180 days if the Board of Health finds more time is needed to protect public health or the environment. “shall be prohibited until July 6, 2027”
During the moratorium, applications and approvals for data centers—including permits, special permits, site plan approvals, variances, and building or zoning permits—may not be accepted, processed, or approved. “no application, permit, special permit”
Any pending data-center application is stayed during the moratorium. “Any pending application for a Data Center shall be stayed”
A data center may not proceed during the moratorium if it requires, depends on, or is paired with BESS approval, BESS construction, or related energy-storage infrastructure covered by the BESS moratorium or a successor. “requires, depends upon, or is paired with BESS approval”
Sources
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