Fort Worth Moves Data Center Moratorium Forward.

Fort Worth has taken another step toward potentially putting the brakes on new data center development, but a moratorium is not in place yet.

According to Krista Erbe, founder and operator of 2871Coalition.org, the Fort Worth City Council approved a motion to begin considering a moratorium. A final vote on whether to adopt it is tentatively scheduled for Feb. 16, 2027.

In the meantime, the city approved a new requirement for data centers seeking to develop within Fort Worth. Applicants must provide proof of required permits and approvals from the Public Utility Commission of Texas and ERCOT before filing for a city development permit.

For Benbrook-area residents following the proposed Edged data center, however, neither action changes that project. Erbe said the Edged development is vested under the laws and regulations in place when the property was rezoned for medium industrial use.

The council also directed the city to establish the Fort Worth Data Center & Infrastructure Commission, a group tasked with studying data center-related issues and recommending actions within the city’s regulatory authority. Its report is due to the City Council by Nov. 3.

Erbe has been appointed to the commission, which is scheduled to hold its first meeting Friday.

So, for residents wondering whether Fort Worth has already approved a data center moratorium, the short answer is no. Council has started the process, while other new regulations and a broader review of data center development are already moving forward.