Custer County Leaders Hold Special Session on Data Center Insights
Custer County leaders in Nebraska held a special joint meeting to gather insights from industry professionals regarding data centers. The discussion focused on electricity demand, water usage, noise, and economic impact to inform future decision-making on data center development and regulations. No formal action was taken during the meeting.
Custer County, Nebraska officials, including members of the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors, convened a special joint meeting to gain insights from industry professionals regarding data center development. The session primarily addressed community concerns surrounding electrical demand, water usage, noise pollution, economic impact, and necessary infrastructure.
Charlie White, a Land Agent from Aurum Capital Ventures, was among the speakers. He aimed to dispel what he termed "misconceptions" about the scale and resource consumption of modern data centers, particularly those developed by his company. White emphasized that their 5-10 megawatt facilities use significantly less water than larger data centers, often employing water-free cooling systems or minimal water usage during peak heat periods. He also addressed noise concerns, stating that newer water-cooled systems are substantially quieter than older air-cooled designs, making them less disruptive in rural environments.
Jonathan Jank, an Economic Development Consultant with Nebraska Public Power District, highlighted Nebraska's attractiveness for development due to its comparatively low-cost electricity and existing infrastructure, noting a general increase in requests for new electrical loads from various industries. Jason from Custer Public Power District further explained that their utility system, designed for heavy summer irrigation, possesses substantial unused capacity during much of the year, which data centers could help utilize more efficiently. Russ Callan of the Lower Loup Natural Resources District discussed Nebraska's water permitting process, assuring that the water usage figures for data centers presented were well below thresholds for major industrial facilities like ethanol plants, while stressing the NRD's role in ensuring groundwater sustainability.
While no formal action was taken during the meeting, county officials stated they are continuing to gather information to inform future regulations and potential development proposals for data centers within Custer County.