Nye County tightens rules for data centers after hours of confusion and antics
Nye County commissioners amended the county’s data center policy to impose stricter requirements on proposed facilities. The rules require developers to provide their own power and water, limit water use, establish a 400-foot buffer from homes and set sound limits, while a data center moratorium remains in place.
The Nye County Commission, north of Las Vegas, approved an amendment that adds stricter requirements for data center development. Developers must supply their own power and water, comply with a water-use limit of 1.5 acre-feet per acre, keep projects at least 400 feet from residential properties and meet a sound limit.
The decision followed hours of confusion, procedural disputes and sharply divided public comments. Residents opposed to data centers criticized the commission and raised concerns about water, noise and the impact on their communities. Commissioners acknowledged the contentious meeting but said the amended policy gives the county more authority, while the county district attorney said an existing data center moratorium remains in effect.