Public hearings for data center regulations, battery energy storage to be held during planning commission meeting
The Custer County Planning Commission is holding public hearings regarding proposed data center regulations, covering aspects like size, location, water use, and electrical demand. These discussions occur during a six-month moratorium on data centers that extends through September. The commission aims to finalize a draft of the regulations to present to the Custer County Board of Supervisors for consideration.
The Custer County Planning Commission is set to hold a meeting at the Custer County Courthouse in Broken Bow on Wednesday, featuring two public hearings. The primary hearing, scheduled for 1:45 PM, will address proposed regulations for data centers.
These regulations, initially reviewed at an August 19 meeting, encompass critical areas such as data center size and location, water consumption, cooling systems, noise levels, electrical demand, emergency response protocols, security measures, and decommissioning plans. The county is currently operating under a six-month moratorium on data centers and related technological facilities, which is slated to conclude at the end of September.
A revised draft of the regulations, incorporating modifications discussed during the previous meeting, is anticipated for presentation at Wednesday's session. Once the Planning Commission approves a satisfactory draft, it will be advanced to the Custer County Board of Supervisors for their review and eventual decision. The agenda also includes a separate public hearing on battery energy storage, which is under its own 12-month moratorium, alongside updates to the county's comprehensive plan and zoning regulations.