Dubuque County supervisors approve temporary moratorium on new data center proposals
Dubuque County, Iowa, leaders have enacted a temporary moratorium on new data center proposals. This pause allows county staff to develop comprehensive zoning rules and study potential impacts on local infrastructure, utilities, and natural resources.
The Dubuque County Board of Supervisors in Iowa has approved a temporary moratorium on new data center development applications. This resolution, which took immediate effect, halts the acceptance, processing, and approval of permits and zoning requests for data center construction or expansion within the county.
Authored by Dubuque County Auditor Keith Lucy, the initial proposal suggested a 120-day moratorium, which Supervisor Ann McDonough successfully motioned to extend to one year. The purpose of this pause is to allow county staff ample time to research and draft comprehensive zoning regulations specifically addressing data center operations and their potential environmental impacts.
Concerns prompting the moratorium include the significant demands data centers place on electrical power, water usage, and land. The county also lacks specific zoning rules to manage issues such as noise, heat, and light pollution. The Dubuque County Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously recommended the moratorium, emphasizing the need for more guidance before further projects proceed.