Supervisors considering data center moratorium

The Lee County Board of Supervisors is actively considering a moratorium on data center development within the county. During a May 26 meeting, District 1 Supervisor Denise Fraise proposed the halt to allow time for a regulatory ordinance to be established, citing environmental concerns such as water and electricity consumption, and noise pollution. Board Chair Ginger Knisley and District 2 Supervisor Dr. Tim Wondra supported the call for caution, noting current lack of specific permitting requirements for data centers in Lee County.

Lee County Engineer Ben Hull confirmed ongoing discussions with officials from Des Moines and Henry counties regarding potential permitting ordinances. Hull highlighted electricity consumption as a key factor requiring careful examination for future regulations, while also raising questions about the legal definition of a "data center." Supervisors acknowledged the challenges of keeping pace with rapidly evolving technology and establishing clear definitions.

The State of Iowa's efforts to attract data centers through tax incentives were also mentioned, adding a layer of complexity to local regulatory efforts. Although no specific timeline was set for drafting new ordinances or enacting the moratorium, supervisors confirmed that regulating data centers is a priority for the county.