Linn County enacts 18-month data center moratorium
Linn County, Iowa, has enacted an 18-month moratorium on new data centers in unincorporated areas to update ordinances and evaluate long-term impacts. This decision was influenced by experiences with existing data centers and concerns about electricity demand, water usage, and environmental pollution from new power generation facilities like Alliant Energy's proposed gas plant. The moratorium provides time for state lawmakers to consider legislation regarding data center infrastructure costs.
The Linn County Board of Supervisors recently approved an 18-month moratorium on new data center developments in unincorporated parts of the county, a move defended by Supervisor Kirsten Running-Marquardt. The decision aims to allow time for the county to update its ordinances and comprehensive land use plan, evaluating long-term impacts related to water, electricity, air quality, and traffic, drawing lessons from existing Google and QTS data centers in Cedar Rapids.
A significant concern is the substantial electricity demand, which has led Alliant Energy to propose a 720-megawatt Morgan Valley natural gas power plant to serve these data centers. This plant, a Title V facility, is projected to emit over 100 tons of air pollutants annually, including nitrogen oxides affecting air quality within a 26-mile radius, and increase Linn County's carbon dioxide emissions by more than 25%. Alliant Energy's rezoning request for this power plant will be voted on by the Linn County Board of Supervisors, though the Iowa Utilities Commission has the authority to override the county's decision.
Supervisor Running-Marquardt also highlights the potential for the Iowa Legislature to mandate data centers cover their fair share of electrical infrastructure costs, preventing these expenses from being passed on to homeowners. The moratorium is intended to provide state lawmakers with time to consider such legislation. The article notes that some individuals poised to profit from data centers in Linn County are upset by the moratorium and may attempt to expand the Linn County Board of Supervisors from three to five members.