Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. announced the policy Wednesday after the Principal Chief's Data Center Task Force released findings from several months of research, surveys and community outreach on the economic, environmental and cultural effects of large-scale data centers. The report concludes that hyperscale data centers pose significant concerns related to energy and water consumption, air quality, infrastructure, noise and light pollution, and the protection of cultural resources. Under the new policy, the Cherokee Nation will ban hyperscale data center development on tribally owned and trust lands. Tribal officials said the policy is intended to ensure Cherokee Nation property is managed in accordance with community values by emphasizing environmental stewardship and protection of natural resources. The task force found that a large majority of Cherokee Nation citizens surveyed oppose hyperscale data centers within the reservation, citing environmental and community concerns.