- Details
- By Chez Oxendine
- Economic Development
The Cherokee Nation has become the latest tribal nation to ban hyperscale data center development on tribal lands, issuing the prohibition last Wednesday after receiving a report from the principal chief’s data center task force.
The task force report found broad citizen opposition to hyperscale facilities and detailed concerns about energy use, water consumption, air quality, noise, light pollution and cultural resource protection. Of 1,593 citizens who responded to the task force survey, 64% opposed hyperscale data center construction within the reservation, while 14% reported it and 22% were unsure. The report also found Oklahoma lacks a consistent method for tracking new or proposed data center projects, citing the absence of a regulatory framework.
Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. said the tribe will not support hyperscale development on tribally owned or trust lands and will require “robust” consultation for any proposals on non‑tribal lands within the reservation.
“It’s clear that our Cherokee Nation Administration, Council, and citizens have serious concerns about the construction of hyperscale data centers on our tribal lands, which affect our resources and cultural lifeways,” Hoskin said in a statement. “Our primary responsibility is to protect our citizens and tribal communities from these threats.”
The decision marks a shift from the Nation’s more cautious posture earlier this summer. In July, Hoskin told the New York Times that Cherokee Nation didn’t want to be “on the sidelines” or “bystanders” as data center development expanded, but said the Nation was moving more slowly than some governments while its task force studied the issue.
Under the new policy, hyperscale data centers are banned on tribally owned and trust lands. For projects proposed on nontribal land within the Cherokee Nation Reservation, the Nation said it will not consider supporting development without “robust” consultation addressing cultural and natural resource concerns and including “meaningful” community engagement. The task force also recommended forming an advisory committee to evaluate future proposals, participate in consultations with businesses and advise the principal chief.
The move follows similar actions by other tribal governments as data center development expands in and around Indian Country.
Tribal opposition has also emerged over projects proposed near tribal lands without formal consultation. The Tonawanda Seneca Nation sued over a facility in Genesee County, New York, that abuts its territory. The Mohawk Council of Akwesasne opposed a large‑scale data center planned at a former bitcoin mine in Massena, saying state officials ignored tribal concerns and emergency mobilizations, according to Truthout.
KOSU reporting shows similar tension in Oklahoma, where multiple hyperscale projects have advanced through municipal channels without formal tribal consultation. The Seminole Nation passed its own moratorium in March, while the Kickapoo Tribe announced a similar measure in July.
Tribal leaders told the station that because many data centers avoid federal permits that would trigger consultation under the National Environmental Policy Act, or NEPA, developers can sidestep tribal governments entirely.
Brian Edwards contributed reporting.
