Yankton County to Consider Data Center Moratorium

Yankton County commissioners are poised to vote on a one-year moratorium concerning data centers and bitcoin mining facilities. Commissioner Ryan Heine spearheaded the resolution, expressing concerns that existing county zoning laws are inadequate for such ventures and citing an alleged attempt by an organization to establish a data center through questionable methods, disguised as a service establishment.

The proposed moratorium would halt the acceptance and issuance of building, use, zoning, or rezoning permits for data centers or bitcoin mining facilities exceeding 250 kW for 12 months. This period would allow the county to study the environmental and economic impacts, including potential burdens on energy and water resources and noise pollution, and amend the Yankton County zoning ordinance and Code of Ordinances to incorporate appropriate regulations. The public is invited to attend tonight's commission meeting at the Yankton County Government Center, where the resolution will be discussed, with options for public comment.