Nebraska counties weigh data centers as public power debate grows
As more data centers look to expand into Nebraska, a growing number of counties are pressing pause. However, a new state law continues to push development efforts forward.
More than a dozen counties have approved or advanced temporary moratoriums on new data center construction and others are considering similar measures as they work to update zoning rules and address concerns about water and electricity use.
John Hansen, president of the Nebraska Farmers Union, said many communities simply want more information.
"Local people are upset by what they are seeing and hearing about what the implications of these mega users of electricity might mean for our existing public power customers," Hanson explained.
Governor Jim Pillen signed legislation earlier this year allowing private developers to build power generation for facilities requiring a huge amount of electricity. Supporters of the new law said it means developers, not utility customers, will pay for new infrastructure, while opponents argued the law weakens Nebraska's public power system.
Hanson pointed to one aspect of the legislation drawing strong opposition, including from his organization.
"One of the provisions that we had real difficulty with was a provision that took away public powers, eminent domain authority to acquire privately owned electric generation facilities of over 1,000 megawatts," Hanson outlined.
The Nebraska Association of County Officials is developing a land-use permitting toolkit to help counties navigate the new laws and future data center proposals.
