Moratorium or a different approach? Nearby counties vary on data centers

Across south central Kansas, local governments are grappling with how to regulate data center development after state lawmakers passed sales tax incentives last year, prompting tech companies to purchase land. Sedgwick County has enacted a moratorium until mid-June to establish regulations, with residents expressing concerns about water and energy use, groundwater contamination, and noise. To the north, Harvey, Saline, McPherson, and Kingman counties have also approved moratoriums lasting from a year and a half to three years, or until 2028, to allow time for staff to research and create appropriate regulations. However, not all counties are following suit. Sumner County, for instance, allows data centers in agriculturally commercial zoned districts, and Canadian tech company Cormor Inc. is nearing construction on an AI data center in Wellington, projected to grow to 100 megawatts. Meanwhile, Reno County is forming a task force to study regulations, and its larger cities, like Hutchinson, may independently decide on moratoriums. Butler County has opted against a long-term moratorium, with Administrator Will Johnson suggesting regulations can be developed more quickly. El Dorado city officials are proactively discussing zoning for potential data centers. A statewide legislative effort to impose a three-year moratorium in drought-stricken counties, including Sedgwick, Reno, and Harvey, failed in the Senate, as did other bills aimed at regulating water usage and zoning for data centers.