Woodbury County Board of Supervisors approve moratorium on data centers
The Woodbury County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a one-year moratorium on data centers on unincorporated county land, citing concerns about energy and water usage, noise, and rural land incompatibility. This decision follows local opposition to a proposed data center in Salix, though the county moratorium does not affect projects within incorporated city limits. County staff will conduct a review and hold public input sessions.
The Woodbury County Board of Supervisors in Iowa has officially enacted a one-year moratorium on data center developments within unincorporated county land. The decision was unanimous, with all five supervisors voting in favor of the resolution after expressing support the previous week. Chairman Mark Nelson initially raised the possibility of a moratorium on June 12.
The board justified the moratorium by citing concerns regarding the substantial energy and water demands of data centers, potential noise pollution, and their incompatibility with rural land uses. County staff from the Community and Economic Development/Planning and Zoning Department will now review zoning definitions, environmental protections, and infrastructure capacities, with a series of public input sessions to be announced.
The moratorium comes amidst active local opposition, including residents speaking against a proposed data center in Salix, a town within Woodbury County. On June 15, over 100 people gathered in Salix Community Park to protest data centers. However, the county's moratorium does not impact developments within incorporated city limits, meaning the proposed project in Salix, involving MidAmerican Energy, can proceed. Iowa State Senator Kevin Alons noted that MidAmerican Energy had "evaded" questions about their involvement.