Data center concerns draw hundreds to Dubuque County town hall
Dubuque County, Iowa, held its first public town hall meeting on data centers, drawing nearly 300 residents concerned about potential impacts. The county is developing an ordinance after enacting a 12-month moratorium on data center development. Residents voiced concerns about water quality, property value, and utility infrastructure.
Hundreds of Dubuque County residents attended the first public town hall meeting on data centers in Peosta, Iowa, to discuss a proposed ordinance and express concerns. The meeting follows the county's enactment of a 12-month moratorium on data center development, giving them time to craft new regulations.
Residents voiced worries about potential impacts on water quality, property values, utility infrastructure, and future economic development. Stephanie Grutz, a local business owner, emphasized the need for a thorough review, stating that the current year-long moratorium is insufficient to fully understand the long-term implications.
The Dubuque County Board of Supervisors plans to release a draft ordinance in four months, with a final version expected in about 10 months after further public hearings.