The Halstead City Council referred another new technology to its planning and zoning committee for consideration and reporting back. Instead of a battery energy storage system (BESS), this time it’s data centers and cryptocurrency mining facilities. Following Harvey County’s moratorium on data centers, Halstead Mayor Gary Faelber asked the Halstead City Council to consider a moratorium on commercial data centers, as well. Council Member Charlie Robinson said he was opposed to a ban without P&Z having a chance to look at it and weigh in. Faelber said the facilities are a nuisance. “In my opinion, the people have already voted on such a subject, and it was a resounding, ‘We do not want this kind of stuff in our city,’” Faelber said. City Attorney Brad Jantz told the council they could instill a moratorium with little notice, and they could rescind it at any time, even if they put a specific time period on it. On Jan. 13, Harvey County Commissioners agreed on a moratorium on data centers in the unincorporated areas of Harvey County until Jan. 1, 2029.
Read more: Harvey County Now
