The Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) is charged with protecting the public health, safety, welfare, natural resources, and quality of life of County residents. The citizens of Okaloosa County request that Okaloosa County BOCC establish a temporary moratorium on the approval, permitting, construction, expansion, or development of data centers within Okaloosa County for a period of twelve (12) months from the effective date of this moratorium, unless extended by subsequent action of the Board. 

The purpose of this moratorium is to allow Okaloosa County sufficient time to evaluate and develop appropriate land use regulations, environmental protections, public health safeguards, infrastructure requirements, and community engagement processes related to data center development. 

During the moratorium period, the County shall conduct or commission studies addressing:

1. Air quality impacts from backup generators, cooling systems, construction activities, and associated infrastructure;
2. Noise pollution impacts on nearby residential neighborhoods, schools, healthcare facilities, parks, and sensitive land uses;
3. Water consumption demands and potential impacts on groundwater resources, aquifers, public water supplies, and future water availability;
4. Water quality impacts related to wastewater discharge, stormwater runoff, cooling system chemicals, and groundwater contamination risks;
5. Energy consumption requirements and impacts on electrical infrastructure, utility rates, grid reliability, and greenhouse gas emissions;
6. Public health impacts associated with air pollution, noise exposure, heat generation, and cumulative environmental burdens;
7. Environmental justice and health equity considerations, including potential disproportionate impacts on vulnerable populations;
8. Economic costs and benefits, including infrastructure subsidies, tax incentives, public expenditures, and long-term community impacts;
9. Emergency preparedness considerations related to generator fuel storage, fire suppression systems, hazardous materials, and disaster resilience; and
10. Best practices, regulatory approaches, and environmental standards adopted by other local governments throughout the United States.

The County shall provide meaningful opportunities for public participation, including public workshops, hearings, and stakeholder engagement sessions to ensure residents have access to information and opportunities to provide input regarding proposed data center development.

Upon completion of the studies identified herein, County staff shall present findings and recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners, including proposed ordinances, zoning regulations, environmental standards, public health protections, monitoring requirements, and, if deemed necessary, an outright ban. Recommendations will be made to protect the residents and natural resources of Okaloosa County.

This petition is being proposed by Earth Action, Inc. and Okaloosa County Democratic Environmental Caucus.