Linn County to consider temporary data center moratorium
The Linn County Board of Supervisors is considering a temporary moratorium on new data center applications in unincorporated areas until January 1, 2028. This proposal stems from ongoing resident concerns about the cumulative impacts of large-scale data centers on public infrastructure, water, and electrical resources. If approved, the moratorium would not affect existing projects by QTS and Google or those within city limits.
The Linn County Board of Supervisors is slated to vote Wednesday morning on a proposed temporary moratorium concerning new data center applications within the county's unincorporated regions. This consideration follows continued expressions of concern from residents regarding the development and potential impacts of large-scale data centers. The moratorium, if enacted, would extend until January 1, 2028, with provisions for potential extension by the Board.
The proposed measure could affect potential data center developments near the Duane Arnold Energy Center in Palo and the proposed Morgan Valley Energy Center northwest of Fairfax, though neither project has yet submitted formal rezoning applications. However, the moratorium would explicitly exclude existing data center projects in southwest Cedar Rapids, including those by QTS and Google, and any developments situated within the city limits of any municipality in the county.
According to the proposed resolution, despite the county's adoption of new zoning regulations for large-scale data centers in February, additional information has emerged regarding their potential cumulative impacts. These include concerns about public infrastructure, water resources, electrical infrastructure, emergency response capabilities, transportation systems, and long-range land use planning. The Board emphasizes the need for coordinated evaluation among municipalities, utility providers, regional planning organizations, state agencies, and other stakeholders.
Linn County's initiative is part of a broader trend across Iowa, with Sioux County, Woodbury County, and Dubuque County having recently approved one-year moratoriums, and the city of Peosta enacting a six-month moratorium to develop new data center regulations.