Nevada Governor Lombardo Signs Executive Order Regulating Data Centers
Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo signed Executive Order 2026-005, establishing new policies for data center development in the state. The order mandates developers fully pay the Local School Support Tax, cover all project costs, and protect water, the electrical grid, and communities. It also requires a Community Support Commitment before applications can reach the Governor's Office of Economic Development.
Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo has signed Executive Order 2026-005, implementing new statewide policies for data center development. The order mandates that data center developers fully pay the Local School Support Tax, cover all project-related costs to prevent burdening ratepayers, and prioritize the protection of water supplies, the electrical grid, and local communities where they operate.
The executive order also establishes additional guardrails, building on existing data center abatement legislation from 2015. Under the new rules, data center applications must first secure a "Community Support Commitment" before they can be reviewed by the Governor's Office of Economic Development (GOED). This commitment will be defined by the GOED's executive director, with input from various state agencies, local governments, and school districts, ensuring developers meet specific community-focused conditions.