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Story County adopts temporary moratorium on digital asset mining, data processing and battery storage siting
Summary
The Board approved Resolution 25-97 establishing a temporary moratorium through Dec. 31, 2025 (with a single possible extension to March 31, 2026) on accepting applications or issuing permits for digital asset mining, data processing centers and energy storage uses while staff draft regulations.
The Story County Board of Supervisors on June 17 adopted Resolution 25-97 imposing a temporary moratorium on acceptance of certain land-use applications and issuance of permits for uses including digital asset mining, cryptocurrency operations, data processing centers and battery/energy storage solutions.
Leanne Harder, Story County planning staff, told the board the county’s land-development regulations are currently silent on these uses. Harder said county planning staff and the county attorney recommended a time-limited moratorium so staff can consult experts, review draft regulations other counties have shared through the County Zoning Officials (COSO) affiliate of ISAC, and prepare amendments to the land-development regulations. Resolution 25-97 sets the moratorium through Dec. 31, 2025, and includes language allowing one extension, by separate resolution, through March 31, 2026, if staff need additional time.
Supervisors asked whether other counties had already drafted regulations and whether the city of Ames was addressing similar topics; staff said they would follow up with those inquiries and consult draft regulations shared on Basecamp. Supervisor Faisal moved approval, Supervisor Merkin seconded, and the board voted to adopt the resolution.
The moratorium is temporary and intended to give staff time to prepare land-use standards and mitigation methods before the county receives applications for those specific uses.
