The City of La Crosse, Wisconsin is taking a responsible step that more communities across America should consider: before approving any new data centers, city officials want to study the impacts first.

A proposed ordinance would pause new data center permits for 18 months, enough time for the city to define what a data center is in its municipal code, understand the potential effects on local infrastructure and natural resources, and develop fair zoning standards. Right now, La Crosse has none of those things in place. A public hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 5, and the Common Council is expected to vote on Aug. 13.

Data centers are not small operations. They can place significant demands on the local power grid and water supply, generate substantial noise, and raise concerns about air quality and fire safety. La Crosse officials have identified all of these as areas requiring further study, and they are right to do so before permits are issued, not after.

La Crosse County already approved a similar 18-month moratorium in June, and the city is participating in the county's ad hoc committee studying the issue. This is exactly the kind of coordinated, community-first planning that local government is supposed to do.

This isn't about being anti-technology. It's about making sure that when data centers do come to La Crosse, or anywhere, they come in with proper safeguards for residents, not just promises from developers.

The La Crosse Common Council has the authority to pass this moratorium and give their community the time it needs to get this right. Sign the petition urging the Council to vote yes on Aug. 13 — before the window to act closes.