Google Proposes Nebraska Data Center Requiring More Power Than All Of Lincoln

Google is considering building a data center in Nebraska that could require more than three times the amount of power the entire city of Lincoln uses at peak demand. The tech giant would power the data center through a privately built utility-scale natural gas plant potentially capable of producing more power than the largest power plant in the state, and would use carbon capture technology to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The proposal involves Google, private energy developer Tenaska, and natural gas company Tallgrass Energy. Tenaska would be responsible for powering the new data center, while Tallgrass potentially would supply the natural gas and transport the captured carbon. The project could be online as soon as 2029, but its status is unclear. The proposal hinges on the passage of a bill in the Nebraska Legislature that would allow for the creation of privately built and owned power facilities to power a large industrial customer like a data center. State and local officials have expressed support for the bill, citing the need to remain economically competitive and avoid burdening ratepayers with the costs of a large user's power needs. However, critics have raised concerns about the environmental impacts of natural gas plants and the potential for increased natural gas prices. If approved, the data center project would be one of the largest in the country, potentially requiring 1,000 to 3,000 megawatts of power. It would also feature what could be the largest carbon capture operation in the U.S. The project faces potential opposition from community groups concerned about the environmental and land use impacts of such a massive data center development.