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# Group Launches 2028 Ballot Effort To Restrict Massachusetts Data Centers
- URL: https://www.newbostonpost.com/group-launches-2028-ballot-effort-to-restrict-massachusetts-data-centers/
- Published: 2026-09-16T12:00:09.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-16T12:00:10.000Z
- Description: A new Massachusetts ballot committee wants to require data centers to win two-thirds approval from host communities and meet other rules.
- Author: State House News Service
- Tags: News, Politics, Massachusetts, #lead, #morning-bell, morning-bell, #5

Michael P. Norton  
State House News Service

Organizers of a ballot question committee to restrict data centers have filed initial paperwork with the state. 

According to a Monday filing with the Office of Campaign and Political Finance, the Committee to Restrict Data Centers formed and is based in West Springfield.

The filing names James Fleming as chair and Stephen Hill as treasurer. Reached by the News Service, Fleming, who is behind the signature-gathering company JEF Associates, said the issue was brought to him by people concerned about data centers in Westfield and Holyoke. 

Fleming said he drew from existing legislative language around data centers to draft the question and have it be reviewed by the attorney general's office. He said the proposal requires data centers to secure a two-thirds vote of its host community and to meet other requirements around electricity, water and noise issues. 

If the measure materializes, it could reach the 2028 ballot. 

Gov. Maura Healey this month signed an executive order requiring local approval and benefit agreements for data centers.