Nebraskans are taking a hard look at data centers
Residents in Otoe County, Nebraska, are expressing concerns over the potential establishment of a new data center in their area. The county board has voted to suspend permits for a year to allow for further study and regulation updates. This decision reflects a growing trend across the U.S. where local governments are reconsidering data center developments due to environmental and resource concerns.
- ▪Otoe County residents have raised questions about water availability and power costs related to a proposed data center.
- ▪The county board voted to suspend permits for a year to study the implications of data centers on local resources.
- ▪There is a nationwide trend of local governments considering bans or moratoriums on data centers due to their resource demands.
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Anila Yoganathan Regional Reporter, Nebraska Published Jun 03, 2026 Topic Climate + Energy Share/Republish Copy Link Republish Copy Link Email SMS X Facebook Republish Reddit LinkedIn Bluesky This story is made possible through a partnership between Grist and The Flatwater Free Press, Nebraska’s first independent, nonprofit newsroom focused on investigations and feature stories. Standing before the Otoe County Board and a room of neighbors, Wynee Benedict ticked through a long list of concerns. Do we have enough water for them? Who pays for their power? What if they create a heat island? The source of Benedict’s worries: data centers.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Grist.
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