Lee County Supervisors Consider Data Center Moratorium
The Lee County Board of Supervisors in Iowa is considering enacting a moratorium on data centers due to concerns over water usage, electricity demands, and noise. Supervisors also plan to develop a regulatory ordinance and define what constitutes a data center, noting the current lack of specific permits required in the county.
The Lee County Board of Supervisors is considering a moratorium on data center development within the county to allow time for the creation of new regulatory ordinances. During a recent meeting on May 26, District 1 Supervisor Denise Fraise proposed the temporary halt, citing concerns about data centers' significant water and electricity consumption, which she fears could negatively impact surrounding communities. Board Chair Ginger Knisley and District 2 Supervisor Dr. Tim Wondra supported the need for caution, with Wondra noting constituent concerns.
Lee County Engineer Ben Hull highlighted that no specific permit is currently required to build a data center in Lee County and mentioned ongoing discussions with officials in Des Moines and Henry counties regarding their permitting ordinances. A key challenge identified by the supervisors and county IT Director Kevin Harter is establishing a clear definition of a "data center" for regulatory purposes. Hull also emphasized the need to examine electricity consumption, while Fraise shared an unconfirmed anecdote about noise from a nearby facility.
Despite the State of Iowa's efforts to attract data centers with tax incentives, Lee County supervisors expressed the need for local control. Although no specific timeline was given for drafting new ordinances, Board Chair Knisley confirmed the issue is a priority for the county.