Communities Weigh Data Center Projects and Impacts

Communities in California, Nebraska, Iowa, North Dakota and Alberta are weighing data-center development against concerns about electricity and water use, noise, farmland loss and effects on nearby homes. Los Angeles County supervisors are considering zoning changes to bar large-scale facilities in unincorporated areas and review noise rules, while residents seeking a broader moratorium say the measures may not go far enough. Cass County, Nebraska, is developing rules under a moratorium extending into next year, including a proposed 15-megawatt power cap and limits to industrial-zoned sites; Linn County, Iowa, has paused development through 2027, and Walford and Fairfax are seeking coordination on projects near their boundaries. In Cass County, North Dakota, residents have questioned a proposed project on prime farmland that could require up to 540 megawatts, while its developer cites nearby electric and gas infrastructure. In Alberta, a permit near Sexsmith has prompted concerns about impacts and whether residents had adequate notice and time to appeal. Farm advocates say data centers support precision agriculture through data storage but warn developed farmland is difficult to restore; officials and industry representatives also cite potential jobs and infrastructure as communities consider how to balance development with resource and local protections.