Lancaster County halts plans for data center moratorium
Lancaster County has halted plans to vote on a data center moratorium, opting instead to form two task forces to study data centers and industrial zoning. This decision follows a proposal for a zoning code text amendment by Bold Nebraska that would allow data centers with specific restrictions. The move comes amid concerns over electricity and water use from potential data center projects by companies like Stark Power and Monolith.
Lancaster County, Nebraska, has halted its plans to vote on a proposed data center moratorium, choosing instead to establish two task forces to delve into data center development and industrial zoning. This pivot by the County Board was influenced by a recent zoning code text amendment application submitted by Bold Education, also known as Bold Nebraska, a political advocacy group chaired by Jane Kleeb.
The proposed amendment by Bold Nebraska outlines restrictions for data centers, including mandates for closed-loop or air-cooled cooling systems unless otherwise specially approved, prohibitions on foreign-manufactured electronic equipment from "foreign adversaries," and adherence to specific noise and height limits. David Cary, the city's Planning Department director, recommended establishing a working group over instituting a moratorium, a suggestion the County Board adopted.
While County Commissioner Matt Schulte initially advocated for the moratorium to facilitate broader discussions on industrial and commercial zoning, he ultimately concurred with the board. Commissioner Sean Flowerday noted that existing industrial land zoning requirements already serve as an "effective moratorium" in Lancaster County due to the scarcity of suitable industrial-zoned land for such developments. The task force dedicated to data centers will comprise five county residents and stakeholders, including representatives from the Nebraska Public Power District and the Lower Platte South Natural Resources District.
This local development occurs against a backdrop of wider state activity, with over a dozen Nebraska counties having approved data center moratoriums recently. Furthermore, Governor Jim Pillen signed an executive order restricting tax incentives for data centers and formed a 17-member statewide data center task force. Concerns about electricity and water consumption persist, particularly with proposals like Stark Power's plan for a 1.7-gigawatt data center near Hallam and Monolith's intention to build a smaller data center at its nearby facility.