# Only Two Zones, 97 Percent of the Map > A proposed Fairbanks ordinance says today's code permits a large data center in only two zones. Neither is industrial. Published 2026-10-23 by Alaska AI. 9 slides. Canonical: https://alaskaaihq.com/archive/2026-10-23/ ## The story "Only" two zones. 97 percent of the map. The draft says "only" GU-1 and GU-5. They are nearly all of it. Under today's code, the ordinance says, a large data center would be permitted only in these two General Use districts. Everything else fits in 3 percent. Every district besides GU-1 and GU-5 covers 145,827 acres. Heavy Industrial is 3,555 of them, Light Industrial 5,929. By the draft's own reading of today's code, neither one qualifies. Written in 2005, before AI demand. The draft says the code doesn't address data centers as a use. General Use, the widest zone, is where they fall. The pause makes news. The definition decides. Under the draft, a data center is large at 5 MW of peak demand, more than 50,000 square feet of data center floor, or 5 MW of onsite generation. Any one test is enough. If adopted, no applications accepted and none approved through December 31st, 2027. Is 5 MW large? Ask the reserve. GVEA's Level 1 alert starts below 38 MW of reserve, Level 2 below 15 MW. Its first alert, October 12th, reached Level 2, with two units in maintenance and a third offline. The line gets argued now. The agenda sends the draft to the Planning Commission, recommendation due in 90 days. A commission work session on the final Comprehensive Plan is set for October 27th. If adopted, a study of energy, air, water and noise follows within six months. Is 5 MW the right line for "large" in Fairbanks? ## What we verified - Fairbanks North Star Borough Ordinance No. 2026-42 is titled An Ordinance Establishing A Temporary Moratorium On Land Use Permits For Large Scale Data Centers. [Fairbanks North Star Borough, October 22nd Assembly agenda](https://fnsb.api.civicclerk.com/v1/Meetings/GetMeetingFileStream(fileId=13333,plainText=true)), primary document, 2026-10-22. - Borough Mayor Grier Hopkins is the sponsor of Ordinance No. 2026-42. [Fairbanks North Star Borough, October 22nd Assembly agenda](https://fnsb.api.civicclerk.com/v1/Meetings/GetMeetingFileStream(fileId=13333,plainText=true)), primary document, 2026-10-22. - Ordinance No. 2026-42 was item 17.a on the October 22nd Regular Assembly Meeting agenda, under ordinances to be referred to committees or commissions. [Fairbanks North Star Borough, October 22nd Assembly agenda](https://fnsb.api.civicclerk.com/v1/Meetings/GetMeetingFileStream(fileId=13333,plainText=true)), primary document, 2026-10-22. - The agenda directs Ordinance No. 2026-42 to the Planning Commission with a recommendation due back in 90 days. [Fairbanks North Star Borough, October 22nd Assembly agenda](https://fnsb.api.civicclerk.com/v1/Meetings/GetMeetingFileStream(fileId=13333,plainText=true)), primary document, 2026-10-22. - Under Ordinance No. 2026-42 a facility counts as a large-scale data center if it has an aggregate peak electrical demand of 5 MW or greater. [Fairbanks North Star Borough, October 22nd Assembly agenda packet](https://fnsb.api.civicclerk.com/v1/Meetings/GetMeetingFileStream(fileId=13344,plainText=false)), primary document, 2026-10-22. - Under Ordinance No. 2026-42 a facility also counts as a large-scale data center if it occupies more than 50,000 square feet of floor area devoted to data center operations. [Fairbanks North Star Borough, October 22nd Assembly agenda packet](https://fnsb.api.civicclerk.com/v1/Meetings/GetMeetingFileStream(fileId=13344,plainText=false)), primary document, 2026-10-22. - Under Ordinance No. 2026-42 a facility also counts as a large-scale data center if it includes onsite electrical generation of 5 MW or greater. [Fairbanks North Star Borough, October 22nd Assembly agenda packet](https://fnsb.api.civicclerk.com/v1/Meetings/GetMeetingFileStream(fileId=13344,plainText=false)), primary document, 2026-10-22. - While the moratorium is in effect no land use permit applications for a large-scale data center would be accepted and no pending applications approved. [Fairbanks North Star Borough, October 22nd Assembly agenda packet](https://fnsb.api.civicclerk.com/v1/Meetings/GetMeetingFileStream(fileId=13344,plainText=false)), primary document, 2026-10-22. - The moratorium would run through December 31st, 2027 unless the Assembly ends it sooner or extends it by ordinance. [Fairbanks North Star Borough, October 22nd Assembly agenda packet](https://fnsb.api.civicclerk.com/v1/Meetings/GetMeetingFileStream(fileId=13344,plainText=false)), primary document, 2026-10-22. - The planning director's memo says the moratorium would last through the end of 2027 so the borough can update and adopt its new Comprehensive Plan. [Fairbanks North Star Borough, October 22nd Assembly agenda packet](https://fnsb.api.civicclerk.com/v1/Meetings/GetMeetingFileStream(fileId=13344,plainText=false)), primary document, 2026-10-22. - The ordinance directs the Department of Community Planning to report its findings and recommendations to the Planning Commission within six months of the effective date. [Fairbanks North Star Borough, October 22nd Assembly agenda packet](https://fnsb.api.civicclerk.com/v1/Meetings/GetMeetingFileStream(fileId=13344,plainText=false)), primary document, 2026-10-22. - The required study covers impacts on energy usage, air quality, water usage and water quality, and noise pollution. [Fairbanks North Star Borough, October 22nd Assembly agenda packet](https://fnsb.api.civicclerk.com/v1/Meetings/GetMeetingFileStream(fileId=13344,plainText=false)), primary document, 2026-10-22. - Ordinance No. 2026-42 would take effect at 5 p.m. on the first Borough business day after its adoption. [Fairbanks North Star Borough, October 22nd Assembly agenda packet](https://fnsb.api.civicclerk.com/v1/Meetings/GetMeetingFileStream(fileId=13344,plainText=false)), primary document, 2026-10-22. - Ordinance No. 2026-42 is classified as temporary and would not be codified. [Fairbanks North Star Borough, October 22nd Assembly agenda packet](https://fnsb.api.civicclerk.com/v1/Meetings/GetMeetingFileStream(fileId=13344,plainText=false)), primary document, 2026-10-22. - The ordinance says the borough's Regional Comprehensive Plan was last updated in 2005, before growing demand from artificial intelligence created a need for physical infrastructure. [Fairbanks North Star Borough, October 22nd Assembly agenda packet](https://fnsb.api.civicclerk.com/v1/Meetings/GetMeetingFileStream(fileId=13344,plainText=false)), primary document, 2026-10-22. - The ordinance says the borough zoning code does not address data centers as a permitted or conditional use. [Fairbanks North Star Borough, October 22nd Assembly agenda packet](https://fnsb.api.civicclerk.com/v1/Meetings/GetMeetingFileStream(fileId=13344,plainText=false)), primary document, 2026-10-22. - The ordinance says the Comprehensive Plan update is still in progress and expected to be finalized in early 2027. [Fairbanks North Star Borough, October 22nd Assembly agenda packet](https://fnsb.api.civicclerk.com/v1/Meetings/GetMeetingFileStream(fileId=13344,plainText=false)), primary document, 2026-10-22. - Under the present zoning ordinance large-scale data centers would be permitted only in the GU-1 and GU-5 General Use Districts. [Fairbanks North Star Borough, October 22nd Assembly agenda packet](https://fnsb.api.civicclerk.com/v1/Meetings/GetMeetingFileStream(fileId=13344,plainText=false)), primary document, 2026-10-22. - The ordinance says the General Use Districts allow the widest range of land uses of any zoning district in the borough. [Fairbanks North Star Borough, October 22nd Assembly agenda packet](https://fnsb.api.civicclerk.com/v1/Meetings/GetMeetingFileStream(fileId=13344,plainText=false)), primary document, 2026-10-22. - The ordinance says large data centers could consume a significant share of available electrical power in the borough. [Fairbanks North Star Borough, October 22nd Assembly agenda packet](https://fnsb.api.civicclerk.com/v1/Meetings/GetMeetingFileStream(fileId=13344,plainText=false)), primary document, 2026-10-22. - The ordinance names noise from cooling and power equipment as a possible impact of large data centers. [Fairbanks North Star Borough, October 22nd Assembly agenda packet](https://fnsb.api.civicclerk.com/v1/Meetings/GetMeetingFileStream(fileId=13344,plainText=false)), primary document, 2026-10-22. - The ordinance names degraded air quality from onsite power generation emissions as a possible impact of large data centers. [Fairbanks North Star Borough, October 22nd Assembly agenda packet](https://fnsb.api.civicclerk.com/v1/Meetings/GetMeetingFileStream(fileId=13344,plainText=false)), primary document, 2026-10-22. - The ordinance says a temporary pause lets the borough assess power demand, water consumption, noise and land-use compatibility before development proceeds. [Fairbanks North Star Borough, October 22nd Assembly agenda packet](https://fnsb.api.civicclerk.com/v1/Meetings/GetMeetingFileStream(fileId=13344,plainText=false)), primary document, 2026-10-22. - The cover memo for Ordinance No. 2026-42 is from Kellen Spillman, Director of the Community Planning Department, and is dated October 22nd. [Fairbanks North Star Borough, October 22nd Assembly agenda packet](https://fnsb.api.civicclerk.com/v1/Meetings/GetMeetingFileStream(fileId=13344,plainText=false)), primary document, 2026-10-22. - The memo says a more in-depth staff report will be available for the Planning Commission and at introduction. [Fairbanks North Star Borough, October 22nd Assembly agenda packet](https://fnsb.api.civicclerk.com/v1/Meetings/GetMeetingFileStream(fileId=13344,plainText=false)), primary document, 2026-10-22. - Item 9.a on the October 22nd agenda was the Borough Clerk's memorandum on certifying the October 6th Regular Municipal Election. [Fairbanks North Star Borough, October 22nd Assembly agenda](https://fnsb.api.civicclerk.com/v1/Meetings/GetMeetingFileStream(fileId=13333,plainText=true)), primary document, 2026-10-22. - On August 27th the Assembly adopted Resolution No. 2026-25, its legislative priorities resolution, by a vote of 6-1. [Fairbanks North Star Borough, August 27th Assembly minutes](https://fnsb.api.civicclerk.com/v1/Meetings/GetMeetingFileStream(fileId=13295,plainText=false)), primary document, 2026-08-27. - Residents testifying on Resolution 2026-25 spoke in support of its legislative priority for a moratorium on data center development in Alaska. [Fairbanks North Star Borough, August 27th Assembly minutes](https://fnsb.api.civicclerk.com/v1/Meetings/GetMeetingFileStream(fileId=13295,plainText=false)), primary document, 2026-08-27. - Assemblymember Brett Rotermund cast the only no vote on Resolution 2026-25. [Fairbanks North Star Borough, August 27th Assembly minutes](https://fnsb.api.civicclerk.com/v1/Meetings/GetMeetingFileStream(fileId=13295,plainText=false)), primary document, 2026-08-27. - The borough's Comprehensive Plan Update page schedules a Planning Commission work session on the final plan for October 27th, followed by a public hearing in November. [Fairbanks North Star Borough Community Planning](https://www.fnsb.gov/1169/Comprehensive-Plan-Update), primary document, 2026-10-24. - EPA lists the Fairbanks, AK area as nonattainment for the 2006 PM2.5 standard with a Serious classification. [U.S. EPA Green Book](https://www3.epa.gov/airquality/greenbook/rbtc.html), primary document, 2026-09-30. - Golden Valley Electric Association issued its first Energy Emergency Alert on October 12th. [Golden Valley Electric Association](https://www.gvea.com/news-releases/gveas-energy-emergency-alerts-why-theyre-needed-and-what-members-should-know/), primary document, 2026-10-13. - GVEA's October 12th alert was a Level 2 alert. [Golden Valley Electric Association](https://www.gvea.com/news-releases/gveas-energy-emergency-alerts-why-theyre-needed-and-what-members-should-know/), primary document, 2026-10-13. - GVEA's Level 1 Energy Advisory means available generation reserves are below 38 MW. [Golden Valley Electric Association](https://www.gvea.com/safety/energy-emergency-alert/), primary document, 2026-10-20. - GVEA's Level 2 Energy Watch means available generation reserves are below 15 MW. [Golden Valley Electric Association](https://www.gvea.com/safety/energy-emergency-alert/), primary document, 2026-10-20. - At GVEA's Level 3 Energy Warning the controlled load shed program begins because generation reserves are unavailable. [Golden Valley Electric Association](https://www.gvea.com/safety/energy-emergency-alert/), primary document, 2026-10-20. - GVEA said two of its generating units were offline for planned maintenance when a third went offline unexpectedly. [Golden Valley Electric Association](https://www.gvea.com/news-releases/gveas-energy-emergency-alerts-why-theyre-needed-and-what-members-should-know/), primary document, 2026-10-13. - On October 21st the USGS released an assessment estimating 96 trillion cubic feet of technically recoverable undiscovered natural gas on Alaska's North Slope. [U.S. Department of the Interior](https://www.doi.gov/node/68126), primary document, 2026-10-21. - Interior says the 96 trillion cubic feet estimate is nearly three times the roughly 35 trillion cubic feet of proven North Slope gas reserves. [U.S. Department of the Interior](https://www.doi.gov/node/68126), primary document, 2026-10-21. - The borough's zoning map layer shows General Use-1 (GU-1) districts covering 4,420,232 acres. [FNSB GIS portal, Zoning_Districts layer](https://gisportal.fnsb.gov/referenced/rest/services/_/Zoning_Districts/MapServer/1/query?where=1%3D1&outFields=ZONE,ACRES,ZONE_DESC&returnGeometry=false&f=json), primary document, 2026-10-24. - The borough's zoning map layer shows General Use-5 (GU-5) districts covering 197,540 acres. [FNSB GIS portal, Zoning_Districts layer](https://gisportal.fnsb.gov/referenced/rest/services/_/Zoning_Districts/MapServer/1/query?where=1%3D1&outFields=ZONE,ACRES,ZONE_DESC&returnGeometry=false&f=json), primary document, 2026-10-24. - All zoning districts on the borough's zoning map layer total 4,763,599 acres. [FNSB GIS portal, Zoning_Districts layer](https://gisportal.fnsb.gov/referenced/rest/services/_/Zoning_Districts/MapServer/1/query?where=1%3D1&outFields=ZONE,ACRES,ZONE_DESC&returnGeometry=false&f=json), primary document, 2026-10-24. - GU-1 and GU-5 together cover 4,617,772 of the 4,763,599 acres on the borough's zoning map, about 97 percent. [FNSB GIS portal, Zoning_Districts layer](https://gisportal.fnsb.gov/referenced/rest/services/_/Zoning_Districts/MapServer/1/query?where=1%3D1&outFields=ZONE,ACRES,ZONE_DESC&returnGeometry=false&f=json), primary document, 2026-10-24. - Every district other than GU-1 and GU-5 together covers 145,827 acres on the borough's zoning map, about 3 percent. [FNSB GIS portal, Zoning_Districts layer](https://gisportal.fnsb.gov/referenced/rest/services/_/Zoning_Districts/MapServer/1/query?where=1%3D1&outFields=ZONE,ACRES,ZONE_DESC&returnGeometry=false&f=json), primary document, 2026-10-24. - Heavy Industrial (HI) districts cover 3,555 acres on the borough's zoning map. [FNSB GIS portal, Zoning_Districts layer](https://gisportal.fnsb.gov/referenced/rest/services/_/Zoning_Districts/MapServer/1/query?where=1%3D1&outFields=ZONE,ACRES,ZONE_DESC&returnGeometry=false&f=json), primary document, 2026-10-24. - Light Industrial (LI) districts cover 5,929 acres on the borough's zoning map. [FNSB GIS portal, Zoning_Districts layer](https://gisportal.fnsb.gov/referenced/rest/services/_/Zoning_Districts/MapServer/1/query?where=1%3D1&outFields=ZONE,ACRES,ZONE_DESC&returnGeometry=false&f=json), primary document, 2026-10-24. - Mayor Hopkins told Alaska's News Source that residents asked for a moratorium during the legislative priorities hearings. [Alaska's News Source](https://www.alaskasnewssource.com/2026/10/24/fairbanks-borough-mayor-proposes-temporary-data-center-moratorium/), report, 2026-10-23. - Assembly member Tammie Wilson told Alaska's News Source she was glad the borough was being proactive instead of reactive. [Alaska's News Source](https://www.alaskasnewssource.com/2026/10/24/fairbanks-borough-mayor-proposes-temporary-data-center-moratorium/), report, 2026-10-23. - A GVEA spokesperson said a Level 3 load shed would rotate through zones in outages of 30 to 60 minutes. [Alaska's News Source](https://www.alaskasnewssource.com/2026/10/15/gvea-asks-members-conserve-energy-amid-generator-failure/), report, 2026-10-14. - Interior Secretary Doug Burgum spoke at a Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce event on October 14th. [Alaska Public Media (KUAC)](https://alaskapublic.org/news/alaska-desk/2026-10-15/in-fairbanks-interior-secretary-burgum-touts-deregulation-and-data-centers), report, 2026-10-15. - Burgum said people were knocking on the door wanting to drop 10 billion on a data center without tax breaks. [Alaska Public Media (KUAC)](https://alaskapublic.org/news/alaska-desk/2026-10-15/in-fairbanks-interior-secretary-burgum-touts-deregulation-and-data-centers), report, 2026-10-15. - Alaska Public Media reports that Alaska has seen proposals for as many as 15 data centers, including on military land. [Alaska Public Media (KUAC)](https://alaskapublic.org/news/alaska-desk/2026-10-15/in-fairbanks-interior-secretary-burgum-touts-deregulation-and-data-centers), report, 2026-10-15. - In July state officials received more than 500 public comments on a proposed North Slope data center and power plant. [Alaska Public Media (KUAC)](https://alaskapublic.org/news/alaska-desk/2026-10-15/in-fairbanks-interior-secretary-burgum-touts-deregulation-and-data-centers), report, 2026-10-15. - Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins said of data centers that he thinks Alaska should pause. [Alaska Public Media (KUAC)](https://alaskapublic.org/news/alaska-desk/2026-10-15/in-fairbanks-interior-secretary-burgum-touts-deregulation-and-data-centers), report, 2026-10-15. - In a commentary Gwen Holdmann wrote that the Alaska Intertie carried roughly 540,000 megawatt-hours in 2014. [Alaska Beacon (commentary by Gwen Holdmann)](https://alaskabeacon.com/2026/10/21/cook-inlets-gas-shortage-has-become-fairbanks-diesel-bill/), report, 2026-10-21. - Holdmann wrote that the 2014 intertie flow equaled more than 40% of GVEA's annual electricity sales. [Alaska Beacon (commentary by Gwen Holdmann)](https://alaskabeacon.com/2026/10/21/cook-inlets-gas-shortage-has-become-fairbanks-diesel-bill/), report, 2026-10-21. - Holdmann wrote that economy-power purchases over the intertie have fallen to essentially zero since early 2025. [Alaska Beacon (commentary by Gwen Holdmann)](https://alaskabeacon.com/2026/10/21/cook-inlets-gas-shortage-has-become-fairbanks-diesel-bill/), report, 2026-10-21. - Holdmann wrote that in 2014 the older diesel-fired turbines at North Pole supplied only about 3% of GVEA's electricity. [Alaska Beacon (commentary by Gwen Holdmann)](https://alaskabeacon.com/2026/10/21/cook-inlets-gas-shortage-has-become-fairbanks-diesel-bill/), report, 2026-10-21. - Holdmann wrote that by 2025 those diesel turbines were supplying 15% of GVEA's electricity. [Alaska Beacon (commentary by Gwen Holdmann)](https://alaskabeacon.com/2026/10/21/cook-inlets-gas-shortage-has-become-fairbanks-diesel-bill/), report, 2026-10-21. - Holdmann wrote that residential electricity rates climbed above 37 cents per kilowatt-hour this past summer. [Alaska Beacon (commentary by Gwen Holdmann)](https://alaskabeacon.com/2026/10/21/cook-inlets-gas-shortage-has-become-fairbanks-diesel-bill/), report, 2026-10-21. - Taiwan's Economic Affairs Ministry said it would invest up to $4.4 billion in the Alaska LNG pipeline project. [Alaska Beacon via Alaska Public Media](https://alaskapublic.org/news/economy/energy/2026-10-15/taiwan-is-nearing-an-investment-in-the-trans-alaska-natural-gas-pipeline-project-officials-say), report, 2026-10-15. - Taiwan is preparing to buy as much as 30% of the Alaska LNG pipeline's production. [Alaska Beacon via Alaska Public Media](https://alaskapublic.org/news/economy/energy/2026-10-15/taiwan-is-nearing-an-investment-in-the-trans-alaska-natural-gas-pipeline-project-officials-say), report, 2026-10-15. - Taiwan plans to buy 6.6 million U.S. tons of liquefied natural gas a year from the Alaska project once extraction starts. [The Associated Press via Alaska Public Media](https://alaskapublic.org/news/economy/energy/2026-10-14/taiwan-plans-to-buy-liquefied-natural-gas-from-alaska-pipeline-project), report, 2026-10-14. - Taiwan's ministry said Alaska gas would start supplying the island in 2032 at the earliest if the project stays on schedule. [The Associated Press via Alaska Public Media](https://alaskapublic.org/news/economy/energy/2026-10-14/taiwan-plans-to-buy-liquefied-natural-gas-from-alaska-pipeline-project), report, 2026-10-14. - The Alaska LNG project centers on an 807-mile pipeline from the North Slope to an export terminal. [The Associated Press via Alaska Public Media](https://alaskapublic.org/news/economy/energy/2026-10-14/taiwan-plans-to-buy-liquefied-natural-gas-from-alaska-pipeline-project), report, 2026-10-14. - President Trump said the Alaska LNG pipeline is now a U.S. Federal Government Project. [Alaska Beacon via Alaska Public Media](https://alaskapublic.org/news/economy/energy/2026-10-15/taiwan-is-nearing-an-investment-in-the-trans-alaska-natural-gas-pipeline-project-officials-say), report, 2026-10-15. - Official estimates put the Alaska LNG project's cost at $44.5 billion to $54.5 billion. [Alaska Beacon via Alaska Public Media](https://alaskapublic.org/news/economy/energy/2026-10-15/taiwan-is-nearing-an-investment-in-the-trans-alaska-natural-gas-pipeline-project-officials-say), report, 2026-10-15. - The private developer Glenfarne owns seventy-five percent of the Alaska LNG pipeline project. [Alaska Beacon via Alaska Public Media](https://alaskapublic.org/news/economy/energy/2026-10-15/taiwan-is-nearing-an-investment-in-the-trans-alaska-natural-gas-pipeline-project-officials-say), report, 2026-10-15. - Trump has touted a $54 billion South Korean investment in the Alaska pipeline, while South Korean officials have been more cautious. [The Associated Press via Alaska Public Media](https://alaskapublic.org/news/economy/energy/2026-10-14/taiwan-plans-to-buy-liquefied-natural-gas-from-alaska-pipeline-project), report, 2026-10-14. Slides and the deck PDF are linked from the canonical page.