2-1 vote sets 18-month data center moratorium for unincorporated Linn County
Linn County supervisors voted 2-1 to approve an 18-month moratorium on new data centers in the county's unincorporated areas. The decision was driven by concerns over air pollution, future power costs, and water as a critical natural resource. One supervisor opposed the moratorium, citing existing strong protections in a comprehensive data center ordinance.
The Linn County Board of Supervisors approved an 18-month moratorium on new data centers in unincorporated areas of the county with a 2-1 vote. Supervisor Randy Meisner, who pushed for the pause, stated that the decision was based on feedback from Linn County residents and information from current data center developments in Cedar Rapids. Meisner emphasized the need to balance growth and job creation with protecting Linn County residents, considering factors like air pollution, future power costs, and water as a critical natural resource.
Conversely, Supervisor Sammy Shields voted against the moratorium, arguing that a comprehensive data center ordinance passed in February already provides strong protections. This existing ordinance includes provisions for an independent water study and grants the board authority to reject any project deemed unsuitable for the community. The full statements from the supervisors are available on iowasnewsnow.com.