Cass County restricts hyperscale data centers
The Cass County Board of Commissioners approved zoning changes limiting future data centers to 15 megawatts, effectively prohibiting hyperscale facilities. The county also agreed to keep an existing moratorium on data center construction in place, while residents continue to raise concerns about environmental impacts, water access and utility costs.
The Cass County Board of Commissioners approved Resolution No. 2026-11, amending county zoning regulations to cap electricity usage for future data centers at 15 megawatts. The change eliminates the possibility of hyperscale data centers and was adopted while a countywide moratorium on new data center construction remains in effect through next August unless commissioners remove it sooner.
The action followed months of debate over the potential effects of data center development. Resident Jeanette Freel and her brother, Phil Lepert, expressed concerns about environmental impacts, water access and utility bills. The Omaha Public Power District said local governments have a role in land-use planning, but that electric service, system planning and grid reliability remain the responsibility of public power utilities. No data centers have been approved in Cass County, though Tenaska has optioned more than 1,300 acres for a proposed partnership with Google.