Gerry Dick joins to talk about Data Center moratoriums and the latest with NIPSCO
The Elkhart City Council has approved a data center moratorium, following similar actions in Boone County and Indianapolis. This trend in Indiana reflects local governments' desire for more time to assess the impact of data center developments, despite the state's generally pro-data center stance.
The segment began with a discussion on widespread power outages in Northwest Indiana following recent storms, with NIPSCO committing $2 million to recovery efforts. Host Tony Katz questioned NIPSCO's response time and the utility's monopoly status, with guest Gerry Dick from Inside Indiana Business noting that while conversations might arise, legislative changes are uncertain.
The conversation then pivoted to data center moratoriums in Indiana. Tony Katz expressed strong opposition to these moratoriums, labeling them as "a mistake" and "foolhardy" for impeding economic opportunities. He advocated for evaluating data center proposals on a case-by-case basis, referencing a decision in Marion where a project was rejected for not being the "right deal."
Gerry Dick confirmed that the Elkhart City Council recently approved a data center moratorium, becoming the latest locality in Indiana to implement such a measure, joining Boone County and Indianapolis. Dick explained that these moratoriums are typically enacted to allow more time for local governments to assess the various impacts of data centers, including potential tax revenue benefits. He acknowledged the Bronn administration's general support for data centers but noted the state's understanding that not all projects are suitable for every community. Dick anticipated a continued trend of moratoriums until a clearer framework for data center development emerges.