Lincoln County Commissioner Micaela Wuehler Named to State Data Center Task Force

Lincoln County Commissioner Micaela Wuehler has been appointed to Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen's newly created Data Center Task Force, established via Executive Order 26-17. The task force, comprising 17 members from various sectors including energy, utilities, and infrastructure, will assess the potential impacts of data centers on the state's water resources, power grid, and local infrastructure, while also developing tools, zoning guidelines, and policy frameworks for counties.

Wuehler brings valuable local experience, having actively worked on data center regulations in Lincoln County. She recounted how a discussion during a Nebraska Association of County Officials land use committee meeting sparked her interest. Upon returning to Lincoln County, Wuehler suggested a six-month moratorium on data center development to allow time for regulation development, though it was ultimately rejected in a 3-2 commissioner vote.

Despite the moratorium's failure, Lincoln County has continued its work, developing extensive proposed data center regulations, which are scheduled for a public hearing. Wuehler notes that Lincoln County's efforts are setting a standard, with their draft regulations being shared with other counties in Nebraska and attracting interest from outside the state. As a task force member, Wuehler emphasizes concerns about water usage, especially given Lincoln County's existing water restrictions, and stresses the importance of communities understanding the scale and impact of data centers before approving projects. She maintains a neutral stance on data centers, advocating for informed decision-making and robust regulations.