Governor Pillen Executive Order on Data Centers
Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen signed an executive order to end taxpayer subsidies for large-scale data centers by stopping state-awarded tax incentives. The order also creates a task force to propose further ways to protect natural resources like electricity and water from excessive data center consumption. This action stems from concerns over data centers using 11.5% of Nebraska's electricity.
Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen signed an executive order on data centers, imposing new restrictions on these projects. The order aims to eliminate taxpayer subsidies for large-scale data centers by halting state-awarded tax incentives. Governor Pillen stated his motivation for the order came from data centers' high electricity consumption, noting that Nebraska previously used 11.5% of its electricity for data centers, ranking second nationally. He emphasized the importance of protecting consumers and natural resources, particularly water, from excessive consumption.
The executive order also establishes a task force to identify additional measures to safeguard Nebraska's natural resources from data center utilization. This initiative follows a recently passed Nebraska law designed to prevent data centers from using power generated and paid for by Nebraskans. The report also briefly mentioned South Dakota's new law requiring data centers to pay for certain services, indicating a regional trend in regulating these facilities.