More than 100 people in Salix, Iowa debate merits of data center, as council Ok's concept of yearlong moratorium
The Salix City Council in Iowa voted 3-2 to support the concept of a yearlong moratorium on large-scale data centers, following a petition from residents and a contentious public meeting. This comes after Woodbury County already enacted its own moratorium on unincorporated land, and amidst concerns over energy, water, noise, and potential incompatibility with rural land uses. MidAmerican Energy confirmed its involvement in a proposed data center development, though no customer or specific plan is finalized.
The Salix City Council in Iowa recently voted 3-2 to approve the concept of a one-year moratorium on large-scale data center developments within city limits. This decision followed a heated Wednesday evening meeting attended by over 120 people, where local opponents submitted a petition with 70 signatures advocating for the pause. Councilman Gene Monk introduced the motion for a moratorium, which Mayor Kevin Nelson confirmed will require a final vote at the next council meeting in August to become fully actionable.
This development in Salix, a town with a population under 300, mirrors a similar action taken by the Woodbury County Board of Supervisors, which last month enacted a one-year moratorium on data centers in unincorporated county land. The contentious issue has led to strong feelings among residents, with Mayor Nelson reporting that some city officials have received death threats. Earlier this spring, the council approved the annexation of approximately 950 acres of agricultural land, a move that could potentially accommodate a data center.
MidAmerican Energy representative Adam Jablonski confirmed the company's involvement in a proposed data center development in the area, stating they are