Broken Bow City Council proposes data center regulations

The Broken Bow City Council is taking a proactive stance on data center development by proposing comprehensive regulations for data centers and digital asset mining operations. During a recent meeting, the council continued discussions on Ordinance 1317, which aims to establish guidelines covering various aspects such as noise limits, water conservation, cooling systems, residential setbacks, financial transparency, criminal background checks, and decommissioning requirements. Zoning Administrator Jacob Holcomb emphasized that while the city cannot ban these operations, it can utilize its zoning authority to safeguard the community. He noted that Broken Bow's proposed ordinance is one of the most comprehensive available and is being used as a template by other communities in Nebraska.

The proposed regulations would mandate a conditional use permit for facilities consuming as little as 65 kilowatts of power, requiring notification to nearby residents and review by the Planning Commission before reaching the City Council. Operators would also be responsible for associated infrastructure costs and would need to post a decommissioning surety bond. The council voted unanimously not to waive the three required readings of the ordinance, ensuring a normal review process and allowing for additional public input, as the proposal remains a working draft under an existing moratorium. The city's objective is to have these regulations in place to protect the community before any specific data center projects are proposed within city limits.