DMC board to consider moratorium on data centers, bitcoin mines to locate in the county

The Des Moines County Board of Supervisors is actively considering a moratorium on the development of new data centers and cryptocurrency mining operations within the county. All three board members expressed support for the measure during a recent work session, indicating a desire to establish regulatory oversight for these types of industries. The push for a moratorium follows the recent opening of a bitcoin mine by AUR-MIddletown LLC along Highway 34. This development has sparked local resident concerns regarding the potential consumption of resources by such large-scale operations. Currently, Des Moines County lacks specific ordinances to regulate these enterprises, allowing them to operate without county permitting or oversight. The board plans to use the moratorium period to determine the necessity of and develop an ordinance that could address issues such as siting, operations, and resource impact, similar to a recently updated ordinance for commercial wind, solar, and battery storage facilities. Concerns about data centers specifically highlight their significant water consumption for cooling computer systems. Rumors also persist about Westland Mall being marketed as a potential site for a future data center, further fueling the board's considerations.