Webster County to temporarily halt building of future data centers
Webster County, Missouri, has enacted a temporary six-month moratorium on certain developments, including data centers, in its unincorporated areas. This pause allows the County Commission to study potential impacts, gather information, and consider future regulations as the county currently lacks countywide planning and zoning. An existing data center project near Marshfield is not affected by this moratorium.
The Webster County Commission in Missouri has enacted a six-month temporary moratorium on specific developments, including data centers, solar energy systems, wind energy conversion systems, and battery energy storage systems, within its unincorporated areas. This decision, influenced by public input and expert advice, aims to provide the County with time to assess the potential impacts of such projects.
The Commission clarified that the moratorium will not affect a data center project currently under construction on Rifle Range Road near Marshfield, acknowledging its limited legal authority. The temporary halt is intended to allow the County to study various issues, including public health and safety, emergency response, stormwater runoff, noise, water and electrical usage, effects on neighboring properties, and impacts on local infrastructure.
Currently, Webster County does not have countywide planning and zoning regulations, making this pause crucial for evaluating appropriate legal and regulatory frameworks. The Commission's goal is to balance the interests of residents, landowners, developers, and businesses, emphasizing its commitment to limited, responsible government. They reiterated that the moratorium is a measured step to gather information for future wise and fair decision-making, without prejudging any particular project or permanently expanding government authority. Residents are encouraged to participate in public discussions as regulatory options are reviewed.