The Data Center Divide
A policy snapshot ahead of the 2026 midterms. Mapping data center incentives, restrictions, and bans through legislation, regulations, and executive actions across all 50 states and 1,462 local jurisdictions.
Lancaster County
Mixed Data Center Policies
Nebraska requires data centers drawing at least 10 megawatts to report annually, make community-benefit agreements, and cover decommissioning costs; utilities may also charge fair costs for needed service and upgrades. Incentives are available only to qualifying projects, and some tax benefits are limited or no longer open to new applicants.
Rating and summary from Nebraska statewide as there are no scored current or future laws outside temporary restrictions for Lancaster County.
Specific to Lancaster County only.
pending · County measure: Areas subject to Lancaster County zoning regulations; the sources do not specify the precise boundariesVerified Nebraska proposal, not an enacted data-center ordinance.Lancaster County, Nebraska proposed Data Center Zoning Text Amendment (2026)
People behind it
- Bold Education (Bold Nebraska)
Applicant for the proposed zoning text amendment, identified in reporting as Bold Education.
Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements5
Proposed, not enacted: the minutes identify potential special permit processes, including discussion of agricultural zoning.
Proposed, not enacted; reported application term: mandating a closed-loop or air-cooled system unless the developer gets special approval for a different method.
Proposed, not enacted; reporting quotes the application: No electronic-related equipment or electronic-related components manufactured by any foreign adversary.
Proposed, not enacted; reporting identifies abiding by noise and height limits as application conditions.
Proposed, not enacted: the minutes identify building height and area restrictions among the amendment topics. Operative limits are not verified.
Benefits & exceptionsHide benefits & exceptions2
The proposed amendment would allow data centers in agricultural zoning through a special-permit process. This is a proposed route, not an adopted rule. Special permits in agricultural zoning
The proposed amendment would permit a cooling system other than closed-loop or air-cooled if the developer obtains special approval. Special approval for a different method
Sources
Specific to Lancaster County only.
failed · Proposed scope only: county jurisdiction, excluding city jurisdiction and existing projects; no operative moratorium established by the reviewed evidence.Unadopted data-center-specific proposal, not an enacted moratorium.Lancaster County, Nebraska proposed 12-month Data Center Moratorium Resolution (2026)
People behind it
- Matt Schulte
Commissioner who proposed the 12-month moratorium and later moved to establish the data center task force.
- David Cary
Planning and Development Services director who recommended a working group rather than immediately pursuing a moratorium.
- Sean Flowerday
Commissioner who seconded Schulte's task-force motion, not its mover.
Show 1 more peopleShow fewer people
- Morgan Sanchez
Deputy County Attorney who advised that the draft was preliminary and additional legal and planning review was needed before any action.
Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements1
Draft only, not an operative restriction: Exhibit 5 proposes a moratorium on construction, building permits, conditional-use permits and project authorizations for new data-center proposals or submissions. The draft would end at the sooner of 12 months or legally binding new zoning regulations, unless extended by separate resolution. The county subsequently halted plans to vote on the potential moratorium. Separate zoning-amendment conditions are not provisions of this draft.
Sources
Data provided by Regbase · Cookie preferences · Report missing data