Data center moratorium | The Weekly Wausonian
A Marathon County committee is recommending a 12-month moratorium on new data center construction in areas under county jurisdiction. This temporary halt aims to allow time for a resolution outlining county regulations, addressing resident concerns about water usage and pollution. The moratorium would block new conditional use permits and zoning changes for data centers over 5,000 square feet.
A Marathon County committee is recommending a 12-month moratorium on new data center construction within areas under county jurisdiction. The proposed moratorium, which would not apply to existing data centers or projects under 5,000 square feet, aims to provide time for a resolution outlining comprehensive county regulations for data centers. It would specifically block new conditional use permits, zoning changes, and zoning permits during its 12-month term.
Residents attending the committee meeting voiced significant concerns regarding water usage and potential water pollution from data centers. County leaders expressed a commitment to integrating water protection measures into the final regulatory ordinance. The Marathon County Board must still approve the ordinance for the moratorium to be enacted. Concurrently, the committee also amended a proposed battery storage system ordinance, mandating a 300-foot setback from any existing non-owner building.