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Supervisors debate data‑center benefits and risks, push to draft ordinance
Summary
Board members spent substantial time discussing data‑center inquiries — weighing potential tax revenue and jobs against energy use, grid impacts and community concerns — and directed staff to continue drafting an ordinance with input from utility providers.
Supervisors debated whether to welcome data centers and how to regulate them, with multiple members urging careful negotiation and technical input from utilities.
One supervisor characterized recent findings as reinforcing the board's early view: "New study confirms what we've been saying. Data centers are lowering electric bills." Members raised competing points: potential tax revenue and trunk‑line infrastructure benefits were weighed against worries about electricity capacity, brownouts and consumer rates. Several supervisors said they are collecting utility data and experiences from other counties and recommended bringing utility providers, DMU and RIPA into the ordinance‑drafting process.
Board members said they do not favor an outright moratorium but do want a strong, permanent ordinance that protects county interests and requires technical input from providers. Staff was directed to continue research, prepare a draft ordinance and invite utility representatives to future meetings to clarify energy and grid implications.
