Connecticut Eyes Statewide Data Center Moratorium
State Sen. Bob Duff plans to examine data center effects on electricity, water and infrastructure during the 2027 legislative session.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Data Centers
Live Poll
Should Connecticut impose a statewide moratorium on new data centers?
Several Connecticut towns have paused or banned new data centers, and Sen. Bob Duff, D-Norwalk, is drafting a proposal for a statewide moratorium. Duff said lawmakers should study effects on electricity, water, infrastructure costs and noise before setting rules.
Why it matters
Duff said there is a tremendous amount of concern from residents about new AI data centers, which use far more electricity and water than earlier facilities. Because the region's electric grid is interconnected, he argues the state cannot regulate data centers town by town.
Town actions include West Haven's one-year moratorium, Trumbull's two-year moratorium and New Haven's 12-month moratorium, each with exemptions for existing facilities. The Bristol facility is listed at 7,279 square feet in a city notice but described as 15,000 square feet by the mayor, and its fuel cell is rated at 4 megawatts.
The players
Bob Duff
Connecticut state senator from Norwalk who is drafting a statewide data center moratorium proposal.
Vincent Candelora
Republican House leader from North Branford who called a full moratorium politically motivated.
The details
Trumbull's moratorium exempts its existing facility, and New Haven's exempts its quantum-computing hub. East Lyme adopted an indefinite ban in October, and Bristol's inland wetlands agency approved a data center at 234 Riverside Ave. with stipulations. House Republican Leader Vincent Candelora, R-North Branford, called a full moratorium politically motivated.
Timeline
June: West Haven approves a one-year data center moratorium.
September: Trumbull adopts a two-year moratorium on new data centers.
October: East Lyme adopts an indefinite data center ban.
2027 legislative session: Lawmakers are expected to examine data center effects and set rules.
Big Picture
Duff said the state would consider revisiting the 2021 data center tax breaks, which predate today's AI facilities. The statewide proposal follows a wave of local moratoriums that outpaces the rules written for earlier data centers.
Residents in towns with new moratoriums may find that proposed data centers are paused or barred for one to two years or indefinitely. A statewide rule could also change how electricity and water costs are weighed for future projects in Connecticut.
The takeaway
Residents and local officials should track the 2027 session, since a statewide rule could replace the patchwork of town moratoriums. Watching how the 2021 tax breaks are revisited may show whether the state favors data center growth or tighter limits.
What happens next
Lawmakers are expected to take up data center effects and rules during the 2027 legislative session.
Further reading
For more on how states are weighing these facilities, see Data Centers coverage.
Live Poll
Should Connecticut impose a statewide moratorium on new data centers?
