Shawano County considers data center moratorium
Shawano County, Wisconsin, is considering a moratorium on new data center projects in its unincorporated areas, with a proposal scheduled for a committee hearing. This action is in response to resident concerns about the utility demands and environmental impacts of data centers. Another county, Brown County, previously set aside a similar proposal due to state statutes.
Shawano County, Wisconsin, is actively considering the enactment of a moratorium on new data center developments within its unincorporated areas. The proposal is scheduled for a hearing on Wednesday before the county's Planning, Development and Zoning Committee. The committee's agenda indicates the moratorium is intended to temporarily halt new data center construction while the county reviews, studies, and develops permanent regulations for such uses.
This initiative reflects a growing trend among counties and communities in the region, which are responding to resident concerns regarding the significant demands data centers place on local utilities and their potential environmental impacts. Notably, the Brown County Board previously tabled a similar moratorium proposal, citing state statutes that reportedly do not permit such county-level moratoria.