Taylor County board plans committee on data center, battery storage facility projects

Taylor County, Iowa officials are exploring the formation of a committee to address the increasing interest in data center and battery storage facility projects within the region. The Taylor County Board of Supervisors discussed this initiative at a recent meeting, prompted by a multi-county discussion where a neighboring county had a portable data center and battery storage unit "snuck in" without being subject to property taxes. According to Supervisors Chair Jack Beggs, the committee's primary goal is to establish appropriate ordinances and regulations to protect the county's resources, particularly power, water quality, and water quantity, which data centers are known to consume in significant amounts. Beggs emphasized the importance of a proactive approach to ensure that any future developments benefit the county and do not strain existing infrastructure. The committee would include input from the public, elected officials, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Southern Iowa Rural Water Association (SIRWA), and local power companies to consider all perspectives. The board is expected to discuss the committee's formation further at an upcoming meeting.