Seward County joins growing list of communities with data center moratoriums
Seward County, Nebraska, has enacted a one-year moratorium on data center construction to review and revise its zoning regulations. This decision comes amidst growing concerns from residents about the environmental impact, water usage, and electricity demands of data centers. The county aims to proactively address these issues and gather public input before further development occurs.
Seward County, Nebraska, recently joined several other counties in the state by enacting a one-year moratorium on data center construction. The Seward County Board of Commissioners unanimously voted for the pause last Tuesday, citing the need to consider the sustainability of data center development and revise zoning regulations.
Board chair Misty Ahmic emphasized the proactive nature of the moratorium, aiming to conduct due diligence before making further decisions. The move comes amid rising concerns from residents regarding the potential drain on resources, such as millions of gallons of groundwater for cooling systems, and noise pollution. These facilities also require massive amounts of electricity, with Google proposing a fourth data center in Nebraska that would demand three times the energy of the entire city of Lincoln.
Seward County's action follows recent state legislation, LB1261 and LB663, intended to expedite data center development by allowing private companies to build large power plants and by fast-tracking permit reviews. However, many communities, including Seward, lack specific regulations for data centers, necessitating the pause to establish appropriate guidelines and gather public input. The county plans to prioritize balancing agricultural production, natural resources, and new enterprise, with public engagement being a key part of the process.