Data center project gets approval from Kearney city council, with new stricter regulations
The Kearney City Council approved a conditional use permit for a new data center project, Project Horizon, from Worldwide Mission Critical, SDV, and MARA. The approval came with new stricter regulations addressing concerns about sound and water usage, despite opposition from some local residents. The project is expected to begin construction in late 2024 and operate by 2028.
The Kearney City Council has approved a conditional use permit (CUP) for a data center project, identified as Project Horizon, following a public meeting on September 8 where new, stricter regulations were also put in place. The project, spearheaded by Worldwide Mission Critical as the owner's representative, along with partners and owners SDV and MARA, and design team DLR Group and Miller & Associates, will be located east of Antelope Avenue and south of Tech One Boulevard and Global Drive.
Residents voiced concerns primarily regarding the data center's water usage, with one resident, Ellery Butterfield, questioning the city's legal capacity to manage such a large conglomerate. Craig Bennett of Miller & Associates presented information clarifying the data center's water consumption, noting its closed-loop chilled water systems require a one-time fill and that annual landscaping maintenance would be the largest water use, comparable to only five residential homes' daily usage. Ryan Fuld, project lead with SDV, emphasized the project's commitment to community-conscious growth, aiming to meet and exceed sound codes and reduce water use through advanced cooling technologies.
The project plans for three development phases, with an initial 368-megawatt electrical demand, partly repurposing an existing 100-megawatt cryptocurrency mining facility on the site. A sound study indicated compliance with maximum sound levels, and a water and wastewater feasibility study confirmed code compliance for water usage. City staff recommended approval with several conditions, including transparency on ownership changes, hazardous material inventory, and compliance with city regulations. The Planning Commission had previously voted unanimously to recommend the CUP's approval, which the City Council then granted. The Project Horizon team expressed gratitude, highlighting the city's comprehensive rules and their commitment to being a responsible neighbor, expecting construction to start in late 2024 and operations by March 2028.