Moffat County considers data center regulations as residents, experts debate safeguards
Moffat County officials and residents are developing preliminary regulations for potential future data centers, focusing on electricity, water use, environmental impacts, noise, infrastructure and decommissioning. The Planning and Zoning Commission took no formal action, while county commissioners have not yet decided whether to impose a temporary moratorium during the drafting process.
Moffat County held three meetings on potential data center development as the region considers its economic future following the planned retirement of Craig Station and closure of Trapper Mine. Residents raised concerns about utility costs, water supplies, tax incentives, permanent employment, environmental protection and the possibility that taxpayers could bear cleanup costs if a facility closes or an operator goes bankrupt.
Experts including Ian Lang of the Colorado School of Mines, Yampa Valley Electric Association President and CEO Scott Blecke, and Western Resilience Center policy director Matt Kireker discussed the potential economic and resource impacts. Blecke said large facilities should bear the costs of additional power infrastructure, while Kireker urged project-specific analysis of energy, water, siting and environmental effects.
The county Planning and Zoning Commission began developing a draft framework that could use conditional-use permits for larger facilities and require information on water rights, power needs, noise, traffic, wastewater, fire protection, wildlife and financial assurances. The framework remains preliminary, and the commission took no formal action. County officials are also considering, but have not adopted, a temporary moratorium while regulations are drafted.