The proposal would stop new projects while county officials finish rules covering land use, water, electricity and environmental concerns. The County Board will make the final decision.
By Hola Nebraska
Cass County moved closer to temporarily stopping new data center development Monday after the county’s Planning Commission voted to recommend a pause on new projects.
The temporary pause, formally known as a moratorium, would remain in place while county officials complete rules governing where data centers could be built and how companies would address water use, electricity demand and possible effects on surrounding communities.
The Cass County Board of Commissioners will decide whether to approve the pause. No length has been set, and the County Board would determine how long it would remain in effect.
Cass County residents filled an event hall at the county fairgrounds for the July 13 meeting. The crowd applauded after the Planning Commission approved the recommendation.
County officials want more time to finish the rules
The Planning Commission also recommended a set of regulations for future data centers but concluded that the county needs more time to research the issue and clearly define its zoning rules.
Under the proposed regulations, data centers could only be built on land designated for industrial use. Planning Commission member George Tesar Jr. said Cass County has relatively few areas with that designation.
Companies would also be required to use cooling systems that reuse water instead of continuously drawing new water into a facility when that option is feasible.
Very large data centers would have to provide a plan showing how much electricity a project would require as it expands. That information would be submitted when a company applies for the special county permit needed to move forward.
A project could not receive approval if it would cause serious environmental damage unless those effects could be prevented under county standards.
Tesar was the only Planning Commission member who voted against recommending the temporary pause. He said the proposed regulations already provide enough protection and that it is time for the county to make a decision.
What is a data center?
A data center is a facility filled with computer servers that store, process and move digital information. These facilities support services such as websites, cloud storage, video streaming, online banking and artificial intelligence tools.
Large data centers can require substantial amounts of electricity to operate their equipment. Some also use water or other cooling systems to prevent servers from overheating.
The amount of land, water and electricity required varies by project. Those demands are central to the discussion in Cass County as officials consider zoning rules and protections related to utilities, noise and the environment.
Residents raised concerns about water, power and farmland
Water use, electricity demand, noise, farmland and possible environmental effects dominated the public comment period.
Many residents asked county officials to take more time before allowing any project to move forward.
“What is the benefit to our people to do this?” Plattsmouth resident Terry Tilson asked.
Cass County resident Ellie Sampson raised concerns about noise and the possible effects on wildlife and natural resources. She said people often move to the county because they want to live close to nature.
“What is the long-term impact?” Sampson asked.
Janet Johnson of Plattsmouth asked county officials not to sign confidentiality agreements with companies considering projects in the county.
After the meeting, Tesar said he was aware of at least three companies considering Cass County as a possible location, but he did not identify them.
Pam Kragt of Cass County said concerns about data centers have brought together residents with different political views.
“The AI data centers are not a Democratic or Republican issue, isn’t that funny?” Kragt said. “First thing I can think of in a long, long time where nobody gives a crap if you’re a Democrat or a Republican, because as we all sit here tonight, we live in Cass County in the United States of America, and we still have a say.”
Her comments drew cheers from the audience.
Related: Nebraska climate report warns of growing pressure on water and agriculture
Cass County could join at least 11 Nebraska counties
If the County Board approves the temporary pause, Cass County would become at least the 12th Nebraska county to take that step.
Butler, Box Butte, Custer, Dundy, Furnas, Hayes, Harlan, Johnson, Kearney, Otoe and Seward counties already have temporary pauses on data center development.
Gage and Garfield counties were awaiting final votes after receiving recommendations in favor of similar measures. Logan County was expected to consider the issue later in the week, while Saline County was also reviewing a possible pause.
Lincoln County commissioners voted Monday against temporarily stopping data center development.
A temporary pause would not permanently ban data centers
The proposal would not permanently prohibit data centers in Cass County.
It would temporarily stop new development while the county studies the issue, completes its rules and decides what conditions companies would have to meet.
The Cass County Board of Commissioners will decide whether to approve the temporary pause and, if approved, how long it will remain in effect.
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