Data center conditional use permit to be discussed at Kearney Planning Commission meeting

The Kearney Planning Commission is scheduled to meet on Friday, Aug. 21, to deliberate on a conditional use permit (CUP) application submitted by Worldwide Mission Critical for a new data center. The proposed facility will be situated east of Antelope Ave. and south of Tech One Blvd and Global Drive in Kearney, Nebraska, an area zoned for Business Park development where data centers are permitted with an approved CUP.

According to a memo from the City of Kearney, the data center will have a total electrical demand of 368 megawatts, with 100 megawatts repurposed from an existing cryptocurrency mining operation on the site for the initial phase. Environmental considerations have also been addressed; a Sound Study indicates the facility will meet day-night average sound levels of 55 dBA at property lines, and a Water and Wastewater Feasibility Study confirms compliance and details the use of closed-loop chilled water systems for cooling. The first phase is projected to use 455,600 gallons of water per year, with subsequent phases increasing usage.

The project is planned in three phases, with the first phase including an office building, a data center building, and enclosed equipment yards. The existing cryptocurrency mining facility will be decommissioned after the completion of phase one. Future phases involve additional building extensions. City staff have recommended approval of the CUP, subject to conditions such as timely notification of ownership changes, inventory of hazardous materials, and adherence to city regulations.