Indiana is at a crossroads.

Across the state, communities are raising serious concerns about the rapid expansion of data centers and the strain they place on our land, water, energy grid, and local voices. These concerns came into sharp focus recently at a public meeting of the Indianapolis City-County Council’s Environmental Sustainability Committee, where dozens of Hoosiers showed up to demand stronger oversight—and even a temporary moratorium—on new data center projects.

At that meeting, experts and advocates, including the Hoosier Environmental Council, warned that data centers can consume enormous amounts of electricity, water, and land while offering limited benefits to local communities. They emphasized four key issues Hoosiers are already feeling: community impact, energy demand, water use, and land consumption. These are not abstract fears—they affect utility bills, environmental health, and whether neighborhoods have a real say in what gets built around them.

Residents spoke plainly. They called on city leaders to push the state to establish clear development, building, and zoning standards for data centers everywhere in Indiana—not just in select neighborhoods. Others urged officials to pause approvals altogether until the public can fully understand the long-term consequences. Their message was simple: Indiana should not rush into decisions that could lock communities into decades of environmental and infrastructure costs.

This petition calls on the Indiana General Assembly and Governor Mike Braun to enact a temporary, statewide moratorium on new data center construction and approvals. This pause would allow time to study cumulative impacts, set enforceable statewide standards, and reconsider discretionary tax incentives before irreversible decisions are made.

This is a pro-community, pro-responsibility call for thoughtful planning. Hoosiers deserve transparency, strong protections, and a voice before massive industrial projects reshape our state.

Sign this petition to urge Indiana’s leaders to slow down, listen, and put people first—before approving the next wave of data centers.