Woodbury County approves 1-year moratorium on data centers

The Woodbury County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a one-year moratorium on data centers in unincorporated areas, with a 5-0 vote, to allow time for developing an ordinance for future projects. This action follows the City of Salix's annexation of approximately 900 acres of farmland in April, which MidAmerican Energy confirmed is being considered for a future data center, though it's still seeking a customer for the land.

Public sentiment at a June 15 meeting in Salix was largely against the proposed data center. Residents, including Steve Corey, voiced concerns about placing data centers on agricultural land in small communities, citing potential negative impacts on property values, water usage, and the environment. Sioux City resident Maria Rundquist urged officials to protect citizens and prevent data center development in their area.

Conversely, Dean Bradham, a union member of Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 33, argued that data centers bring significant economic benefits, including jobs, tax revenue, and growth. State Senator Kevin Alons, R-Salix, criticized MidAmerican Energy for a lack of transparency regarding the project's size and scope, a sentiment echoed by County Supervisor Matthew Ung, who found the evasion of questions "chilling."

Ung described the moratorium as an "olive branch" and part of a regional trend, noting similar measures recently passed in Plymouth and Sioux counties. MidAmerican spokesperson Geoff Greenwood clarified that the Salix site is within city limits and therefore unaffected by the county's moratorium, emphasizing the company's commitment to responsible data center development and its track record of facilitating 36 data center projects since 2007.