With data centers becoming more prolific across the country — along with concerns about their impact on utilities and physical resources — the Coffey County Commission has OK’d a moratorium on any potential developments until the county can establish what Coffey County Economic Development Director Jenny Tatman calls a “robust regulatory framework.”
Specifically, Tatman tells KVOE News the one-year pause gives time for the Coffey County Planning Commission to research, develop and pass regulations that allow for high-tech development alongside Coffey County’s safety standards, resource management goals and rural character.
Tatman says basic questions about data centers are starting to pick up in Coffey County.
Tatman also says it’s important for residents to realize certain state regulations are in place or under development to help guide the conversation:
*Senate Bill 98, which bars data centers from getting discounted electricity rates that other industries often enjoy
*Kansas Corporation Commission policy that demands “large load users” sign long-term commitments, as long as 17 years, and pay for all the needed infrastructure upkeep and upgrades
*Conversations continue at the state level for water use and conservation, noise mitigation and overall economic impact
Tatman says the Planning Board’s overall goal is to strike a balance between economic development and Coffey County’s rural nature.
Tatman says the Planning Board is also well into conversations about a new comprehensive plan.
To this point, neither Emporia’s Metropolitan Area Planning Commission nor the Lyon County Planning Board have addressed data center policy.
