Commissioners chew on data center concerns
Lincoln County Commissioners are drafting new zoning regulations for data centers after residents raised concerns about electricity and water consumption and proposed a moratorium. The Commissioners previously voted against a moratorium but are moving forward with updating regulations that may set a precedent for other counties in Nebraska.
The Lincoln County Commissioners in Nebraska are actively developing new zoning regulations for data centers in response to public concerns over their environmental impact and resource consumption. During a recent meeting, residents Jan Knight and Beth DeFreece urged the commissioners to enact an 18-month moratorium on data center development, citing potential adverse effects on children and grandchildren, and increased costs for electricity and groundwater. DeFreece also indicated that opponents are preparing to circulate a petition to formally express their concerns.
Despite the public's plea for a moratorium, the commissioners upheld their earlier 3-2 vote against such a measure. Zoning Administrator Judy Clark, who is leading the drafting process for the updated regulations, noted the difficulty in finding existing guidelines from other states or counties, suggesting Lincoln County may be setting a new standard. Chairman Kent Weems emphasized water conservation and power consumption as top priorities for the county's regulations, proposing a classification system for data centers based on their resource usage.
The draft regulations will be reviewed by the planning commission on July 16, with a public hearing anticipated in August. Commissioner Chris Bruns highlighted that data centers must secure permits from state and regional power and water authorities before approaching Lincoln County, suggesting ample time for regulation updates. The commissioners are also exploring how data centers will be taxed and the need for clear community benefit agreements, with discussions focusing on "future-forward" regulations incorporating advancements like quantum computing.