‘Important for us to get this right’; Lancaster County takes preventative measures for future data center proposals

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — On Sept. 14, Lancaster County announced that they are seeking volunteers for a Data Center Task Force amidst growing controversy surrounding data center regulations.

SEE ALSO: Lancaster County Board seeking volunteers for Data Center Task Force

The task force will be made up of five people, one from each district in Lancaster County.

“The decisions we’re making now are important for the future of our community,” Lancaster County Commissioner Christa Yoakum said. “I think it’s better if we’re proactive about this and decide what is going to fit best for Lancaster County before we have one proposed.”

When asked about the Google data center on the northern outskirts of Lincoln, Yoakum said that is within the city jurisdiction. For now, Yoakum states there is no way for a data center to be built in the county’s jurisdiction.

The rules state a data center must go in an industrial zone.

“We have very little land in Lancaster County that is zoned industrial,” Yoakum said. “So there wouldn’t be enough property, or physical land, in one place to do this.”

Yoakum said it is important for Lancaster County to give their input.

“We really want community input on this,” she said. “This is a big issue and it’s important for us to get this right.”