Houston's data center moratorium can't reach land the state gave AIDEA, officials say

Houston's two-year moratorium on data centers cannot reach the 6,800 acres the state is giving the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority, Deputy Mayor Jeff Brasel told residents at Thursday's City Council meeting. The moratorium covers only land inside city limits, and the state land lies just outside them.

"There's just about a half a mile between the edge of city limits and the furthest and the closest chunk of that data transfer to us. And that half a mile makes all the difference as far as what we can do," Brasel said.

The Alaska Department of Natural Resources approved the transfer in a final decision dated Nov. 10. The land, about two miles north of Houston, goes to AIDEA at no cost, down from the 19,950 acres DNR first proposed. The council passed the moratorium on data center permits, construction and operation Oct. 8. AIDEA has said it has no committed tenant or construction schedule for the land.

Resident Robert Hall suggested the city consider annexing some or all of the land. Resident Sandy McDonald, who owns two parcels north of Zero Lake near the transferred land, objected, saying the city already struggles to care for the roads it has.

Council members differed on AIDEA. One said AIDEA had agreed nothing would happen on the land without a discussion with the city and said they were not concerned. Another said they were "extremely disappointed in DNR" and had little faith in what AIDEA told the city. Mayor Carter Cole said the city would make public anything it hears.

State Sen. George Rauscher told the council that challenging the decision costs $200. Under the decision, people affected who submitted timely written comments or hearing testimony may ask the DNR commissioner to reconsider within 20 calendar days of its issuance.