Data Center Discussions Resume Monday and Tuesday in Lincoln County
Lincoln County officials are resuming discussions on a data center moratorium and potential regulations after a previous moratorium proposal was rejected. The Board of Commissioners and Planning Commission will address concerns about water use, electrical demand, setbacks, and noise. Public interest remains high, with residents attending meetings to weigh in on future data center development.
Lincoln County officials are set to resume critical discussions regarding data center development, including a potential moratorium and new regulatory measures. This follows a June 8 vote where the Board of Commissioners narrowly rejected Resolution 2026-21, a temporary pause on data center development, with Commissioners Joe Hewgley, Chris Bruns, and Jerry Woodruff voting against, and Commissioners Kent Weems and Micaela Wuehler in favor.
Despite the previous rejection, Commissioners and Planning and Zoning Administrator Judy Clark affirmed that efforts to strengthen the county's data center regulations would persist. Clark noted that county staff had already begun drafting updates addressing key concerns such as water use, electrical demand, setbacks, and noise. Public engagement has intensified, with residents actively participating in county meetings and expressing their views on how future data center projects should be governed in Lincoln County.
The Board of Commissioners is scheduled to discuss and consider a data center moratorium at their Monday meeting, while the Planning Commission will continue its review of potential regulations on Tuesday. Both meetings, held at the Lincoln County Courthouse, are open to the public, with Monday's proceedings also available via the county's YouTube channel. The agenda does not detail the specific reasons for the moratorium's return or any proposed actions.