Union County officials present extensive draft data-center ordinance after packed public hearing
County staff read a lengthy draft ordinance that would tightly regulate so-called digital infrastructure hubs (data centers), requiring large-site minimums, environmental and Native American-led impact studies, annual noise testing, non-lithium long-duration storage and decommissioning bonds. Residents and technical experts told the county to go further on water, setbacks and fire safety.
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Union County held a public hearing on June 11, 2026, at which the county attorney, William Mercer, read a revised draft ordinance that would regulate digital infrastructure hubs (DHIs), a catchall term the draft uses for data centers, server farms, AI facilities and related operations. Mercer said the draft establishes procedures, definitions and detailed operational standards and will be refined after public comment.
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