Saline County adopts temporary moratorium on data centers, nuclear and hydrogen facilities in unincorporated areas

The Saline County Board of Commissioners voted 4-0 on March 17 to adopt a temporary moratorium on the acceptance of new applications for data centers, nuclear power generation facilities and hydrogen-based energy facilities in unincorporated Saline County.

County administrator Philip Smith presented the proposal as a temporary pause that staff and the county counselor treat as a moratorium, suggesting a three-year period ending March 1, 2029, "so the planning commission can take up each topic" and propose development regulations. "You could shorten it, cancel it, extend it," Smith said, adding the date is adjustable.

The proposal prompted debate among commissioners about whether to use the term "pause" or "moratorium," the proper length, and whether to wait for two incoming commissioners. One commissioner said a 12-month pause would be reasonable; another said three years would allow the planning commission time to study each topic. Planning staff said the commission could consider each use separately and remove one from the moratorium when related regulations are adopted.

Public commenters were split. Resident Carla Arpa urged the commission to adopt the three-year moratorium immediately, saying the county needed time to study impacts on water, the electric grid and public health and to avoid companies "sliding in under the radar." "The decisions you have in front of you are going to have a significant impact on our resources," she said. Mitch Robinson, executive director of Salina Community Economic Development, said he preferred the term "pause," urged public education and said no projects were currently lined up, but he offered to help with community education. Resident Bill DeSilvey raised concerns about water availability, potential costs for local customers and limited local jobs from such facilities.

Planning and zoning administrator Tim Hamilton told commissioners the planning commission would likely need about a year for each topic (data centers first), giving the commission a path to remove items from the moratorium as regulations are adopted. "We could probably have one wrapped up in one year," Hamilton said.

After discussion and public comment, a commissioner moved to adopt the resolution as written; a second was given and the chair put the question. The resolution passed on a 4-0 vote. The commission did not specify additional conditions in the meeting; staff and the planning commission will proceed with drafting regulations.

The moratorium applies only to unincorporated areas of Saline County and does not change city zoning authority. Commissioners said the duration and scope remain subject to later amendment.