Linn County begins public input process during 18-month data center moratorium
Linn County, Iowa, has enacted an 18-month moratorium on large-scale data center applications in unincorporated areas. County leaders are now initiating a public input process to gather feedback while also discussing a proposed Morgan Valley Energy Center, for which Alliant Energy has submitted a rezoning application. Residents expressed concerns about potential impacts on water resources and farmland.
The Linn County Board of Supervisors in Iowa has approved an 18-month moratorium on new large-scale data center applications in unincorporated areas, a decision passed by a 2-1 vote. Board Chair Kirsten Running-Marquardt announced on Monday that the county is now developing an implementation plan and a public input process for the duration of the pause, aiming for transparency in reviewing current policies.
Alongside the moratorium, discussions have begun regarding the proposed Morgan Valley Energy Center. Alliant Energy recently submitted a rezoning application for this project, prompting residents to urge supervisors to proceed with caution. John Lee from "Save Morgan Valley" expressed concerns about a lack of definitive answers regarding the project's implications.
Fairfax resident Cindy Anderson and other speakers highlighted potential long-term environmental impacts, emphasizing that land and water are not unlimited resources. They called on county officials to protect these resources and rural landscapes from large-scale developments, linking these concerns to the broader context of data center expansion.