Ozark County commissioners adopt ordinance concerning data centers
Ozark County Commissioners in Missouri unanimously adopted an ordinance to make it more challenging for mega data centers to be built in the county's unincorporated areas. The new regulations, driven by strong local opposition, impose strict requirements concerning power, water use, environmental compliance, and noise/light pollution. While not a ban, the ordinance creates a complex 'roadmap' for any potential developers.
Ozark County Commissioners in Missouri have unanimously adopted an ordinance aimed at creating significant obstacles for companies intending to build mega data centers within the county's unincorporated areas. The decision follows strong and vocal opposition from local residents, including Wren Haffner, who urged commissioners to address their concerns.
Presiding Commissioner Terry Newton explained that while the county cannot outright refuse data center construction without formal planning and zoning – which residents overwhelmingly oppose – the new ordinance acts as a stringent 'roadmap' of requirements. Eastern Commissioner Jim Britt affirmed the commissioners' shared opposition to data centers, emphasizing that they sought comprehensive information before formalizing the ordinance, which was drafted by Travis Elliot, attorney for the Missouri Association of Counties.
The adopted ordinance imposes numerous conditions on developers. They must submit documentation confirming the power provider can safely and reliably meet the facility's peak electrical demand without compromising the grid, with all infrastructure costs borne by the developer. Furthermore, developers must demonstrate compliance with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources and the Environmental Protection Agency, supplying various permits and an air quality analysis. Water use plans, including source, consumption, and cooling systems, are also required.
Additional mandates include agreements for road repair, performance bonding, indemnification of the county, and a financial agreement. A decommissioning plan, updated every five years, is necessary if a facility is abandoned. The ordinance also requires agreements guaranteeing property rights for connecting landowners, with limits on noise and light pollution, landscaping, and visual screening. Violations could lead to fines or permit revocations. Developers must also provide 24/7 emergency contact information and coordinate with Ozark County Emergency Management for hazard mitigation and emergency responses. The ordinance applies only to unincorporated county sections; incorporated cities must pass their own similar rules.