Planning commission urges Brown County to consider moratorium on data centers, battery storage and crypto mining

The Brown County Planning Commission advised the Board of Commissioners to consider a temporary moratorium or prohibition on data centers, large battery energy storage systems, cryptocurrency mining and chip manufacturing in unincorporated county areas.

Barr Smith, head of the planning commission, presented survey findings and county comparisons, noting that several other Kansas counties had enacted moratoria or resolutions on similar facilities. "We still strongly recommend that you... at least a 2 year moratorium on the system," Smith said, citing water-use concerns, fire risk, noise and impacts on farmland and rural character.

Commissioners asked technical questions about water consumption and emergency response. The planning commission referenced examples where large industrial or chip‑manufacturing facilities used an amount of water comparable to a small city and noted areas without sewer or large‑scale water reclamation infrastructure would face constraints. Staff suggested a practical drafting approach: begin with a six‑month moratorium with the option to extend in six‑month increments while county planners and commissioners study local impacts and draft specific development standards.

Commissioner discussion emphasized two objectives: prevent premature approvals that could cause unanticipated infrastructure stress, and buy time to develop county‑specific standards if the county does not want a permanent ban. Staff and the planning commission agreed to prepare a draft moratorium resolution and model language for the board's upcoming meeting cycle.

What happens next: county staff and the planning commission will prepare sample moratorium language and a resolution for the commission to consider at a future meeting; the board may choose a 6‑month moratorium with extensions or direct a longer pause for study.