Evansville APC recommends data center research committee

The Evansville Area Planning Commission has passed an ordinance recommending the creation of a research committee to study the potential impacts of data centers in Vanderburgh County, Indiana. This proposal will now be sent to the Vanderburgh County Board of Commissioners for adoption and approval later this month.

The research committee would implement a temporary deferral on all new data center development applications during its study period, which some residents, including Christopher Newark, expressed concern over due to a quick timeline, with findings expected by the end of the year. Newark suggested waiting to observe how data center developments unfold nationwide before Vanderburgh County makes its own decisions.

If adopted, the committee would evaluate the effects of data centers on infrastructure, environmental resources, public safety, and economic development. Concerns were also raised about the size and makeup of the research team, as the ordinance initially allowed for five people without specific qualification requirements, which has since been removed. The Area Planning Commission encouraged residents to voice their opinions on the committee's structure at upcoming commission meetings.