The city of Harlingen is looking to extend its data center moratorium by an additional 60 days.

The first reading of that extension was approved last week. The current 120-day moratorium, which was approved in May, is set to end around mid-October.

If approved, the extension will extend through December.

City leaders say they need the extra time to figure out whether Harlingen's infrastructure can handle the demands of data centers.

RELATED STORY: Harlingen officials approve 120-day moratorium to study impact of potential data centers

"Whenever you have a new industry coming into town, there are certain needs that they will place on our infrastructure. So, we need to make sure that if an industry were to come into town that has a heavy need, can we handle that need? Does our infrastructure support it?" Mayor Pro Tem Daniel Lopez said.

The city hired a contractor to study its water, sewer and electrical systems. Those findings will help city leaders decide how data centers should be regulated and where they could potentially be allowed.

Lopez said the city has about 90 days to finish that work. The city said there are currently no data center proposals within city limits.

A second vote on the proposed extension is expected in about two weeks.