Lincoln County Planning Commission discusses data center regulations amid water concerns
The Lincoln County Planning Commission discussed data center regulations and significant water concerns after the County Board of Commissioners rejected a temporary moratorium on new data center development. The region faces a groundwater moratorium, making it challenging to meet data centers' high water demands which would require offsetting existing agricultural water use. The Commission plans to update zoning regulations related to data center facilities at a future meeting.
The Lincoln County Planning Commission held a lengthy meeting to discuss regulations concerning data center development. This discussion follows a decision by the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners, who recently voted against implementing a temporary moratorium on new data center projects.
Nebraska Public Power District
s Economic Development Manager Nicole Sedlacek highlighted Nebraska's appeal to tech companies, citing competitive electric rates, available land, and a central location, especially given the global focus on AI as an economic driver.
However, Ann Dimitt, integrated management plan manager for the Twin Platte Natural Resources District, pointed out a significant obstacle: the region has been under a groundwater moratorium since 2004. This moratorium prohibits new large-capacity wells without equivalent offsets of existing water use. Dimitt noted that data centers have approached the district seeking 700,000 to over a million gallons of water daily, a demand that would require purchasing and permanently retiring numerous irrigated farmlands, a challenging prospect in an agricultural area.
The Planning Commission did not take immediate action but plans to revisit the issue at its June 23 meeting to update specific zoning regulations related to data center facilities.