This Kentucky county could be the first to ban hyperscale data centers
Oldham County, Kentucky, is considering new regulations for data centers, including a 10-megawatt power limit that would effectively ban hyperscale facilities. The proposed rules also require developers to provide neighbors with a two-week notice. The Oldham County Fiscal Court is set to vote on these regulations in October.
Oldham County, Kentucky, is poised to become the first county in the state to finalize regulations for data centers, which could effectively ban hyperscale facilities. The proposed rules, set for a vote by the Oldham County Fiscal Court on October 6th, include a requirement for developers to notify neighbors within 1,000 feet of a new site two weeks in advance.
The most significant aspect of the proposed regulations is a 10-megawatt cap on power consumption for new data centers. This limit is intended to prevent the construction of large-scale facilities, often used for AI operations. For context, a nearby data center on the Carrollton Industrial Campus consumes 800 megawatts, equivalent to the energy used by approximately 600,000 homes. Another facility planned for Rubbertown in Louisville would consume around 400 megawatts.
According to a representative, these regulations are considered reasonable and would control smaller data centers, ensuring they still offer services, opportunities, and property taxes to Oldham County. Opo Companies, developers of data centers in Louisville and Carrollton, estimate that the Campground Road Data Center in Louisville alone could generate about $60 million annually in tax revenue by 2030.