Nebraska counties weigh data centers as public power debate grows
Multiple Nebraska counties are imposing temporary moratoriums on data center construction and updating zoning rules due to concerns over water and electricity usage. This comes as a new state law, signed by Governor Jim Pillen, encourages data center development by allowing private power generation, a move opposed by groups like the Nebraska Farmers Union.
More than a dozen counties in Nebraska are either approving or advancing temporary moratoriums on new data center construction. These local actions stem from growing concerns among communities and organizations like the Nebraska Farmers Union regarding the substantial water and electricity demands of data centers, prompting updates to local zoning rules.
This local pushback occurs concurrently with a new state law, signed by Governor Jim Pillen, which aims to facilitate data center development. The legislation permits private developers to construct their own power generation facilities for projects requiring significant electricity, with supporters arguing this shifts infrastructure costs from utility customers to developers.
However, the Nebraska Farmers Union, led by John Hansen, has voiced strong opposition to the new law, particularly a provision that removes public power's eminent domain authority over privately owned electric generation facilities exceeding 1,000 megawatts. Opponents contend that this weakens Nebraska's public power system. The Nebraska Association of County Officials is developing a land-use permitting toolkit to assist counties in navigating these new state laws and future data center proposals.