Lancaster County Data Center Task Force holds first meeting
The Lancaster County Data Center Task Force held its first meeting to examine data center siting, size, setbacks and potential impacts on energy, water, noise and nearby communities. The meeting followed a pause in plans for a county moratorium as officials and community members consider broader data center regulations.
The Lancaster County Data Center Task Force met for the first time in Lincoln to review existing zoning rules and begin developing recommendations for regulating data centers. The 12-member group, formed with county-appointed community representatives and industry and government stakeholders, is examining facility size, siting, setbacks, energy use, water consumption, noise and visual impacts. David Cary, director of the city Planning Department, said the task force may define separate standards for large and small data centers and will work by consensus when possible.
The meeting came after the Lancaster County Board halted plans to vote on a possible data center moratorium. Bold Nebraska founder Jane Kleeb said the group favors a strong permanent ordinance rather than relying on short-term moratoriums. Community members also raised concerns about proposed developments, including projects near Hallam, a Google facility near Interstate 80 and North 56th Street, and Arevia Power's option on more than 500 acres in northwest Lincoln. More than a dozen Nebraska counties have adopted data center moratoriums, while Gov. Jim Pillen has restricted tax incentives for the industry and created a separate state task force.