Nebraska Data Center Task Force to Discuss Ratepayer Protections, Rural Impacts at October Meeting
Nebraska’s Data Center Task Force is scheduled to meet in Columbus to discuss electricity costs, ratepayer protections, rural impacts and coordination of economic development. The task force is evaluating how data centers could affect the state’s water resources, power grid and local infrastructure while helping counties develop zoning and policy guidelines.
Nebraska’s Data Center Task Force will meet Oct. 20 at Nebraska Public Power District headquarters in Columbus. The agenda includes a presentation from the Nebraska Department of Water, Energy and Environment on the state’s LB 1010 report and a presentation from Berkshire Hathaway Energy on ratepayer protections and benefits. Members will also discuss rural community integration, stakeholder relationships and economic development coordination.
Established by Gov. Jim Pillen under Executive Order 26-17, the task force is assessing the effects of data center development on water supplies, electricity systems, land and local infrastructure. Its work comes as proposed developments near Murdock face resident concerns about farmland, water use and electricity costs. Nebraska has also enacted measures allowing public power entities to set rates for large electricity customers and require them to fund infrastructure upgrades, while the state evaluates broader policies for the industry.