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.
Sierra County
This restriction takes precedence while in effect. The rating below excludes temporary restrictions.
Neutral Data Center Policies
Sierra County’s enacted 18-month moratorium delays covered projects seeking county approval or support, where legally permitted, but does not apply to Spaceport America property.
Rating from New Mexico statewide as there are no scored current or future laws outside temporary restrictions for Sierra County.
Specific to Sierra County only.
current law · County measureAdopts an 18-month moratorium, to the extent permitted by law, on Sierra County’s approval or support of data-center development, citing concerns about water use, groundwater, agriculture, electricity demand, environmental effects, infrastructure, rural character, and long-term sustainability (18-month moratorium).Sierra County Resolution 2026-51 (2026)
What this means
The measure creates an 18-month moratorium on county approval or support, which would significantly delay covered data-center projects while the county studies their impacts. It is not a complete ban: the resolution applies only to the extent permitted by law, and the county says it has no regulatory authority over Spaceport America property.
Timing
- Ends
- 18 months after adoption on 2026-07-21
The moratorium applies to County approval or support of data center development, to the extent permitted by law. No extension conditions are stated; the resolution's other provisions remain.
People behind it
- Sandy Jones
Sierra County commissioner who proposed the amendment adding the 18-month moratorium to the resolution.
- Sierra County Board of County Commissioners
Governing body that adopted and passed Resolution No. 2026-51 imposing the moratorium.
- Sierra County Administration
County administrative body directed to transmit the resolution and facilitate studies of the data centers' potential impacts.
Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements2
Imposes an 18-month moratorium, to the extent permitted by law, on the County’s approval or support of any data-center development within Sierra County while studies are conducted on water consumption, electrical demand, groundwater sustainability, agricultural and ranching impacts, environmental effects, infrastructure capacity, emergency services, cooling technologies, economic impacts, and compatibility with rural-planning objectives.
The moratorium does not give Sierra County authority over development on Spaceport America property, which the resolution recognizes is owned and operated by the New Mexico Spaceport Authority under state law.
Sources
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