San Francisco supervisors seek 45-day pause on new data centers as AI fuels concerns

Members of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors are proposing a 45-day pause on new data center approvals, saying the city needs updated rules to address concerns about water use, energy demand, pollution, noise and other impacts tied to the rapid growth of artificial intelligence.

Supervisor Shamann Walton introduced the urgent ordinance Monday with co-sponsors Connie Chan, Jackie Fielder and Chyanne Chen. The proposal would pause city approvals while the Board of Supervisors and Planning Department study the impacts of data centers and develop longer-term rules.