Supervisors considering data center moratorium | Daily Gate City - Keokuk, Iowa
The Lee County Board of Supervisors in Iowa is considering enacting a moratorium on data center development due to concerns over water usage, electricity consumption, and noise. Supervisors are also discussing the need to define what constitutes a data center and to draft ordinances, as there are currently no permit requirements in the county.
The Lee County Board of Supervisors is actively considering a moratorium on data center construction to allow for a cautious approach to development within the county. During a recent meeting on May 26, District 1 Supervisor Denise Fraise proposed that a moratorium be enacted until comprehensive ordinances regulating data centers can be established and passed into law.
Supervisors expressed significant concerns regarding the potential environmental impacts of data centers, specifically focusing on their high water usage and substantial electricity demands. Board Chair Ginger Knisley and District 2 Supervisor Dr. Tim Wondra highlighted the need for closer examination, with Wondra noting constituent concerns about noise. Lee County Engineer Ben Hull indicated that he has been consulting with officials in neighboring Des Moines and Henry counties to understand their permitting ordinances, as Lee County currently has no permit requirements for data center construction.
Another challenge identified by the board is the lack of a clear definition for "data center," which could complicate the drafting of effective regulations. Supervisors, including District 3 Supervisor Chuck Holmes and Lee County Information Technology Director Kevin Harter, discussed whether a data center refers to a large facility or even a single server. Despite the State of Iowa's efforts to attract data centers through tax incentives, the Lee County supervisors plan to carefully examine electricity consumption and other factors while developing future regulatory plans, with the issue firmly "on the radar."