Levy commissioners hear concerns over data centers, plan workshop (copy)
Residents and an industry expert voiced concerns about large-scale data centers in Levy County, Florida, highlighting issues with electricity, water, and noise. The Levy County Board of County Commissioners agreed to hold a workshop to discuss potential regulations, including a possible moratorium, as public opposition grows.
At a June 16 meeting, Doug Cliche, an industry expert with 23 years of experience, advised the Levy County Board of County Commissioners that "there is not a good place in Levy County for large-scale data centers." Invited by Vice Chair Charlie Kennedy, Cliche provided an overview of modern data centers, emphasizing their significantly increased power consumption, rising GPU thermal design power, and demands for extensive cooling and water infrastructure. He also highlighted potential issues with noise from temporary power generators.
Cliche, who recently participated in an anti-data center rally in nearby Citrus County, noted growing public opposition across Florida, with several counties considering or adopting moratoriums. While acknowledging potential benefits like temporary jobs and tax revenue, Cliche warned that "bad actors" might exploit rural counties like Levy for quick development. He recommended the county hold a workshop to explore strengthening local land development codes with specific language to properly classify data centers.
During public comment, several residents echoed Cliche's concerns and urged commissioners to enact a moratorium before any data center applications are filed. The county's legal counsel advised that while a temporary moratorium is legally possible, it would require careful drafting to avoid challenges. Commissioners unanimously agreed to schedule a workshop within the next four to six weeks to gather further input from the community, legal experts, planning officials, and utility providers regarding data center development.