Commissioner outlines strict data-center ordinance with acreage, setback, cooling and solar requirements

Commissioner Collins presented a proposed ordinance that raises minimum contiguous acreage for data centers to 1,000 acres, extends setback distances, bans certain contractors tied to the 2024 National Defense Authorization provisions, requires closed-loop cooling and mandates that 50% of power come from on-site solar; the ordinance also includes environmental and cultural evaluations and prohibits tax abatements.