Seward County approves one-year pause on data center permits and construction
Seward County commissioners unanimously enacted a 12-month moratorium on data center construction, permits, and special use conditions. This pause allows the county to develop new regulations concerning data centers. The decision was influenced by resident concerns about water, electrical infrastructure, the environment, roadways, noise, and decommissioning.
Seward County commissioners voted unanimously to implement a 12-month moratorium on all data center construction, permits, and special use conditions. The resolution was passed with two commissioners absent and not voting, following discussions about a potential pause the previous week.
Commissioner Chairperson Misty Ahmic stated that the majority of resident calls she received expressed opposition to data centers, citing concerns about water and electrical infrastructure, environmental impact, roadways, noise, and the long-term decommissioning of such projects. The temporary ban is intended to provide the county with sufficient time to develop comprehensive regulations before any new data center developments can proceed.
The decision in Seward County follows similar actions by other Nebraska counties. Otoe County enacted a moratorium last month, and Gage County's planning and zoning board approved an 18-month pause, which is now awaiting approval from its county board of supervisors.