Lincoln County weighs data center rules as residents raise groundwater concerns

Lincoln County officials in Nebraska are actively weighing updated regulations for data centers due to increasing developer interest and significant concerns raised by residents.

During a Lincoln County Board of Commissioners meeting, residents voiced worries about the potential strain on groundwater resources, high electricity demand, and noise pollution from data center developments. Commissioner Chris Bruns echoed these concerns, emphasizing the need to protect local farmers and ranchers.

Planning and Zoning Administrator Judy Clark noted that current county regulations, drafted before data centers became a major focus, are less than a page long and lack specific details for such facilities. She and the planning and zoning commission are now researching industry standards to develop more comprehensive rules, though an outright ban is unlikely.

Although a proposed moratorium to temporarily halt data center development was voted down, Commissioner Bruns believes the county can address key concerns by prohibiting groundwater consumption, requiring data centers to generate 100% of their own electricity (per new state statutes), and implementing sound restrictions through existing zoning tools. He also highlighted potential economic benefits like increased property tax revenue.