San Diego City Council votes unanimously for a 45-day pause on new data centres, as a reported 400 MW plan for a Navy site sits outside its reach

San Diego City Council unanimously approved a 45-day emergency pause on new data centres on 27 October, Times of San Diego reported. The pause can be renewed for up to 20 more months while the council drafts permanent rules.

The vote follows Mayor Todd Gloria's executive order of 22 October, which told city planners to bring a temporary moratorium to the council. The order also set up a working group of up to 15 members and asked for preliminary recommendations within 180 days of the order taking effect.

The outcry was over a reported 400 MW data centre on the Navy's NAVWAR site in Old Town. Times of San Diego reports that Manchester Financial Group is weighing the project and says nothing is final. Because NAVWAR is federal land, the city's pause does not reach it. Councilmember Stephen Whitburn said: “San Diego needs more affordable housing, not more computer servers”.

San Diego joins San Francisco, which passed a 45-day moratorium on 17 October, and Charlotte, which extended its pause on 27 October. The NAVWAR case shows a new problem for local rules: the federal government is looking at its own land for data centres, where city councils have no say.

• Reported The council voted unanimously on 27 October for a 45-day pause, renewable for up to 20 more months, Times of San Diego reports. Times of San Diego
• Confirmed Mayor Gloria's executive order of 22 October directs a moratorium to the council and sets up a working group of up to 15 members. City of San Diego, Office of the Mayor