Gov. Pillen signs order to protect Nebraska’s public power from data center drain

Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen signed an executive order to halt new large-scale data centers from receiving tax incentives under the Imagine Nebraska Act. The Governor stated the decision was made due to concerns over the state's energy production and water reserves, emphasizing the need to protect consumers and prevent excessive water consumption. He clarified that the order is a pause on tax benefits, not a full moratorium on data centers.

The executive order also establishes a data center task force tasked with providing recommendations to the legislature. This development follows a recall effort initiated in Lincoln County against three county commissioners who voted against a data center moratorium, sparked by local citizens' worries about power and water usage.

State Senator Mike Jacobson, representing Lincoln County, commended the Lincoln County Commissioners and Planning Commission for their work in developing standards for data centers, advocating for the retention of the tax component due to its importance for property taxes in Nebraska.

Conversely, former state Senator Lynn Walls, who is challenging Governor Pillen in the upcoming November election, criticized the executive order. Walls accused Governor Pillen of political inconsistency, noting that Pillen had lobbied senators to pass similar incentives less than four months prior, stating, "Nebraskans deserve to know the truth... We're tired of politicians saying one thing and doing another."