County Planning Commissions Move to Extend Data Center Moratoriums

Madison County, Indiana, planning commissioners have voted almost unanimously to recommend extending the county’s data‑center moratorium from six months to a full year. The recommendation, which will be considered by county commissioners at their August 4 meeting, follows public comments urging caution on future data‑center construction. A new committee of commission members and citizens will be formed to study data‑center impacts and advise on zoning rules. No specific data‑center proposals have been submitted to the county yet.

In Cass County, Nebraska, the planning commission passed a proposal to place a temporary moratorium on new data‑center projects before it is sent to the Board of Commissioners for final approval. The draft would limit data‑center sites to industrial‑zoned land, require closed‑loop cooling systems where feasible, and demand megawatt‑scale impact studies for larger facilities. One commission member voted against the measure. Residents voiced concerns about water use, power demand, noise and environmental effects, reflecting a broader national debate over the costs of rapidly expanding AI‑linked infrastructure.

Both counties are seeking more time to develop zoning standards and environmental safeguards before allowing new hyperscale data‑center developments.