Over half of Indiana counties now restrict data centers
More than half of Indiana counties now restrict data center development through moratoriums, permanent bans or regulatory ordinances. Marion County recently approved a temporary ban, while the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission approved a $737.3 million AES Indiana plan to serve a Google data center in Monrovia, prompting concerns about transmission costs being passed to customers.
At least 50 Indiana counties now restrict data center development, according to the Indiana University Environmental Resilience Institute. The policies include 32 county moratoriums, 14 regulatory ordinances and four communities where data centers are not permitted; Marshall County has adopted a permanent ban, while DeKalb County's six-month moratorium has expired.
Marion County commissioners approved a temporary ban through the end of 2027 and created a research committee to study the issue and propose zoning regulations. Steuben County and Starke County also adopted temporary restrictions, as communities weigh concerns about electricity, water use, noise, pollution and uncertain economic benefits against state incentives intended to attract large technology companies.
The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission approved a $737.3 million AES Indiana plan to power a 390-megawatt Google data center in Monrovia. Google and AES Indiana said Google will cover the costs, but critics warned that approximately $74 million in transmission upgrades could ultimately affect utility customers.