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Adair County supervisors start process to craft ordinance addressing data centers and transmission-line impacts
Summary
After Supervisor Hoadley raised concerns about a proposed transmission line and the possibility of a nearby data center, the board voted March 11, 2026 to begin work on a county ordinance to address setbacks, water use, road agreements, decommissioning and other protections; legal review and input from other counties were requested.
Supervisor Hoadley told the board on March 11, 2026 that a proposed transmission line running from Arbor Hill to Hebron could signal large-scale power projects and possibly a data center that would demand substantial electricity and water. He urged the county to consider an ordinance using home-rule authority to protect public health, safety and welfare.
Hoadley listed potential ordinance elements including setbacks from residences and livestock, limitations or reporting on water usage, road-use agreements for heavy traffic, decommissioning plans, controls for noise and emergency planning, and financial assurances to cover impacts or removal. He referenced HF2001 and its reporting requirements as context for county oversight. Several board members said they wanted more research and legal review and asked staff to consult other counties that have addressed data centers.
The board voted to move forward with the process to draft an ordinance and to pursue additional information, including legal counsel reviews and outreach to peer counties. No ordinance language was presented or adopted at the March 11 meeting; the vote authorized staff to begin researching options and report back.
Next steps: staff and legal counsel will research statutory constraints, model ordinances from other counties and the implications of HF2001; the board signaled intent to return with proposed language or recommendations for further action.
