Winnebago officials drafting ordinance for solar, crypo, battery and data center facilities
The Winnebago County Board of Supervisors is initiating the process of drafting new zoning ordinances that will apply to data centers, solar fields, crypto facilities, and battery systems. These proposed regulations aim to address concerns such as water usage and noise levels, drawing inspiration from Greene County's existing ordinance. This proactive step seeks to manage the development of such facilities within the county.
The Winnebago County Board of Supervisors in Iowa has commenced the process of drafting a new zoning ordinance to regulate a variety of facilities, including data centers, solar fields, industrial crypto facilities, and battery storage systems for electricity. Supervisor Susan Smith noted that the board is using Greene County's zoning ordinance as a foundational template for their updates.
Key issues to be addressed in the ordinance include water usage, with Supervisor Terry Durby highlighting that most new data centers utilize closed-loop water recirculation systems for cooling. Durby plans to propose specific noise level restrictions, suggesting a limit of 65 decibels for these facilities, as current state law lacks comprehensive noise regulations for cities and counties. This proactive measure by Winnebago County comes amidst concerns raised in neighboring Hancock County, where a data center moratorium has been voted down twice.