Nebraska Data Center Moratorium Tracker
Nebraska has 3 state-level data-center restrictions in force. 23 city and county measures are tracked here, 19 of them in force. Every entry below links to its primary source: a legislature page, a governor's office, a local government, or the reporting of record.
Nebraska
NE
In force
7
State-level measures on record, 3 in force
23
City and county measures, 19 in force
21
Primary sources cited on this page
#20
of 50 states with anything on record, by measure count
State-level measures in Nebraska
Every statewide moratorium, pause, siting restriction, or tax-incentive rollback in Nebraska we can verify against a primary source. Strongest status first.
| Measure | Status | What it does | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| NebraskaNebraska: LB1261 was signed April 10, 2026, allowing private developers to build and own power plants to serve large-scale electricity users like data centers | In force 2026-03 | LB1261 was signed April 10, 2026, allowing private developers to build and own power plants to serve large-scale electricity users like data centers, and prohibiting Nebraska's public power utilities from using eminent domain to acquire such plants. Connected to Google's proposed Nebraska data center that could require 1,000-3,000 MW (3x Lincoln's peak demand). The Legislature passed it 34-7 despite opposition arguing it fast-tracks a new business model threatening Nebraska's land, water, and utility rates. | |
| Executive Order 26-17Ends ImagiNE Act tax incentives for new data centers | In force 2026-07 | Gov. Pillen barred new data-center applications from ImagiNE Act tax incentives and ordered a multi-agency review and resource task force. Pillen framed it as a tax-incentive rollback, expressly 'not a moratorium.' | |
| State of NebraskaNebraska: Gov. Jim Pillen signed an executive order ending future ImagiNE Nebraska Act tax incentives for new data-center applications | In force 2026-07 | Gov. Jim Pillen signed an executive order ending future ImagiNE Nebraska Act tax incentives for new data-center applications; existing/already-approved projects are unaffected. Pillen characterized this explicitly as NOT a moratorium. The order also creates a task force to study resource-protection safeguards covering land, water, and electricity impacts of data centers. Distinct from the pending LB1111 statewide regulation bill, which remains in the Natural Resources Committee (see nebraska-statewide-ne-2026-01-16). | |
| LB 1319Eliminate a sales and use tax exemption relating to data centers | Failed / vetoed 2024-04 | Nebraska LB 1319 (108): Eliminate a sales and use tax exemption relating to data centers. Last action 2024-04-18: Indefinitely postponed. | |
| LB 209Provide tax exemptions relating to data centers | Failed / vetoed 2024-04 | Nebraska LB 209 (108): Provide tax exemptions relating to data centers. Last action 2024-04-18: Indefinitely postponed. | |
| LB 1131Adopt the Domestic Violence and Human Trafficking Service Providers Tax Credit Act and eliminate personal property tax and sales and use tax exemptions | Failed / vetoed 2026-04 | Nebraska LB 1131 (109): Adopt the Domestic Violence and Human Trafficking Service Providers Tax Credit Act and eliminate personal property tax and sales and use tax exemptions relating to data centers. Last action 2026-04-17: Indefinitely postponed. | |
| LB 468Change provisions relating to inheritance taxes, change certain fee and tax provisions, and eliminate a sales tax exemption relating to data centers | Failed / vetoed 2026-04 | Nebraska LB 468 (109): Change provisions relating to inheritance taxes, change certain fee and tax provisions, and eliminate a sales tax exemption relating to data centers. Last action 2026-04-17: Indefinitely postponed. |
City and county moratoria in Nebraska
Most of the movement is local, where a building pause or permit halt does not need a legislative session. 23 tracked measures in Nebraska, each with its source.
Box Butte County
County moratorium on data centers
Data center moratorium; one of the first wave of NE county moratoriums (enacted before Jul 16 2026). The measure has no documented term.
Broken Bow
2026-07
Broken Bow data center moratorium
City Council unanimously approved a 6-month moratorium on new data center construction applications, giving officials time to develop formal regulations. Per Zoning Administrator Jacob Holcomb, the city needs additional research time; the moratorium may be extended up to 12 more months or ended early once a permanent ordinance is adopted.
Butler County
2026-06
County moratorium on data centers for a stated term
Six-month moratorium on data centers; applies only to six townships under county zoning control (Hanover, Lemon, Madison, Milford, Oxford, Ross). The measure has a stated duration whose end date is not recorded.
Cass County
2026-08
Cass County data center moratorium (proposed)
The Cass County Board of Commissioners voted 5-0 on August 11, 2026 to approve a 12-month moratorium on data center permits. Proposed data center regulations were tabled until September 22, 2026.
Cherry County
2026
Six-month conditional-use-permit moratorium
County approved a six-month moratorium on conditional use permits to slow potential data center development while it studies regulations.
Custer County
County moratorium on data centers
Data center moratorium; one of the first wave of NE county moratoriums (enacted before Jul 16 2026). The measure has no documented term.
Dundy County
County moratorium on data centers
Data center moratorium; one of the first wave of NE county moratoriums (enacted before Jul 16 2026). The measure has no documented term.
Fillmore County
2026-07
24-month moratorium on new data center applications (Resolution 2026-10)
On July 14, 2026, the Fillmore County Board of Supervisors adopted Resolution 2026-10 by a 7-0 roll call vote, imposing a 24-month moratorium on accepting new data center applications. The Planning Commission is directed to recommend zoning changes within 22 months.
Furnas County
County moratorium on data centers
Data center moratorium; one of the first wave of NE county moratoriums (enacted before Jul 16 2026). The measure has no documented term.
Gage County
2026-09
12-month moratorium on data center permits
The Gage County Board of Supervisors approved a 12-month moratorium on data center permits on September 16, 2026, replacing an eight-month moratorium already in place. The Planning and Zoning Commission had recommended 18 months. Supervisors said the pause allows time to write data center regulations and could be extended.
Harlan County
County moratorium on data centers
Data center moratorium; one of the first wave of NE county moratoriums (enacted before Jul 16 2026). The measure has no documented term.
Hayes County
County moratorium on data centers
Data center moratorium; one of the first wave of NE county moratoriums (enacted before Jul 16 2026). The measure has no documented term.
Johnson County
County moratorium on data centers
Data center moratorium; one of the first wave of NE county moratoriums (enacted before Jul 16 2026). The measure has no documented term.
Kearney County
County moratorium on data centers
Data center moratorium on unincorporated land; one of the first wave of NE county moratoriums (enacted before Jul 16 2026). City of Kearney (Buffalo County) took opposite approach, allowing DCs with restrictions. The measure has no documented term.
Logan County
2026-07
12-month data center moratorium
On July 15, 2026 Logan County became the twelfth Nebraska county to adopt a 12-month moratorium, covering data centers plus wind, solar and cryptocurrency-mining facilities.
Nance County
2026-08
12-month data center moratorium (Resolution 26-13)
On August 11, 2026, the Nance County Board of Supervisors approved Resolution 26-13 by a 7-0 roll call vote, imposing an immediate moratorium on construction, building permits, and conditional use permits for data centers. It remains in effect for 12 months or until new data center zoning regulations take effect, whichever is sooner.
Nehawka
2026-08
Town moratorium on data centers with no end date
Indefinite ban on data centers, crypto mining, blockchain computing, and power plants to run them; first municipality in Nebraska to pass an outright ban. Cited as blueprint by residents of Union, Murray, and Plattsmouth. The measure has no end date by design.
Otoe County
2026-05
One-year data center moratorium
Commissioners passed a one-year moratorium on data centers in May 2026 and appointed a committee to update the county's comprehensive development plan.
Seward County
2026-06
One-year data center moratorium
Commissioners unanimously approved a one-year pause on data center permits and construction June 30, 2026, one of at least 10 Nebraska counties acting at the time.
Garfield County
Proposed county moratorium on data centers
Planning commission voted in favor of moratorium; awaiting county board final vote. The measure has no documented term.
Hall County
Proposed county moratorium on data centers
Board of Commissioners debated 180-day moratorium on data center rezoning and construction permits; vote outcome not confirmed. The measure has no documented term and covers rezoning requests.
Lancaster County
2026-09
Proposed data center moratorium set aside for task forces
The Lancaster County Board halted its planned vote on a temporary data center moratorium proposed by Commissioner Matt Schulte, as reported September 10, 2026. The board instead formed two task forces, one on data centers and one on industrial zoning, after Bold Nebraska filed a zoning text amendment to regulate data centers.
Lincoln County
2026-07
Data center moratorium (rejected 3-2)
Lincoln County commissioners rejected a temporary data center moratorium by a 3-2 vote on July 13, 2026, after an earlier 3-2 rejection reported June 8, 2026. Commissioners Hewgley, Bruns, and Woodruff voted against; Commissioners Weems and Wuehler voted in favor.
Where Nebraska stands
Across the whole tracker we hold 334 state-level measures in 49 states and 1253 city and county measures, against 1419 primary sources. Nebraska accounts for 7 of the state-level measures and 23 of the local ones.
By total measures on record it is #20 of the 50 states and DC carrying any tracked action, and #22 by city and county measures alone. Ranking is by count of sourced entries in this dataset, so it measures documented activity, not the size of the buildout.
Sources for Nebraska
21 citations behind the entries above. Each opens in a new tab.
- Statewide · Nebraska — Nebraska: LB1261 was signed April 10, 2026, allowing private developers to build and own power plants to serve large-scale electricity users like data centers nebraskapublicmedia.org →
- Statewide · Executive Order 26-17 — 2 separate measures, cited together governor.nebraska.gov →
- Statewide · LB 1319 — Eliminate a sales and use tax exemption relating to data centers nebraskalegislature.gov →
- Statewide · LB 209 — Provide tax exemptions relating to data centers nebraskalegislature.gov →
- Statewide · LB 1131 — Adopt the Domestic Violence and Human Trafficking Service Providers Tax Credit Act and eliminate personal property tax and sales and use tax exemptions nebraskalegislature.gov →
- Statewide · LB 468 — Change provisions relating to inheritance taxes, change certain fee and tax provisions, and eliminate a sales tax exemption relating to data centers nebraskalegislature.gov →
- Box Butte County and 8 other localities — 9 separate measures, cited together nebraskapublicmedia.org →
- Broken Bow — Broken Bow data center moratorium writing.strisker.com →
- Butler County — County moratorium on data centers for a stated term journal-news.com →
- Cass County — Cass County data center moratorium (proposed) klkntv.com →
- Cherry County — Six-month conditional-use-permit moratorium metro.newschannelnebraska.com →
- Fillmore County — 24-month moratorium on new data center applications (Resolution 2026-10) fillmorecountyne.gov →
- Gage County — 12-month moratorium on data center permits klkntv.com →
- Nance County — 12-month data center moratorium (Resolution 26-13) nancecountyne.gov →
- Nehawka — Town moratorium on data centers with no end date wowt.com →
- Otoe County — One-year data center moratorium journalstar.com →
- Seward County — One-year data center moratorium ksnblocal4.com →
- Garfield County — Proposed county moratorium on data centers nebraskapublicmedia.org →
- Hall County — Proposed county moratorium on data centers yahoo.com →
- Lancaster County — Proposed data center moratorium set aside for task forces nebraskapublicmedia.org →
- Lincoln County — Data center moratorium (rejected 3-2) knopnews2.com →
What does bind large loads in Nebraska
A moratorium is only one way a data center gets stopped. The grid operator decides whether it can connect at all, and on what terms. Nebraska sits in 1 footprint.
SPPDominant
Speed in exchange for curtailability under the approved HILL framework.
All-public-power state; NPPD, OPPD, and LES completed SPP membership 4/1/2009.
States next door
6 of the 6 states bordering Nebraska have at least one data-center measure on record. Restrictions tend to travel between neighbors, so this is usually where the next one comes from.
Data centers in Nebraska
The US Data Center Map identifies 39 facilities run by 20 operators in Nebraska, each one placed from primary sources and listed by city and by operator, with the measures on this page beside them.
Open the Nebraska data center map → · The US Data Center Map →
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How to read this page
In force = a moratorium, siting restriction, or tax-incentive rollback that is currently enacted, by statute or executive order. Paused = a temporary hold on new incentives or applications. Proposed = introduced and still pending. Failed / vetoed = died in committee, was voted down, or was vetoed.
This page is generated from the same primary-sourced dataset as the national U.S. Data Center Moratorium Tracker and is re-checked on the same weekly cycle, whether or not anything changed. Legislative status changes quickly; it is informational, not legal advice. Spot something out of date in Nebraska? Tell us.
Companion references: the Data Center Grid Operator Watchlist for the interconnection and curtailment rules that bind here, the Data Center Water Tracker for water mandates, and the Data Center Delay Watchlist for named projects.
Why Nebraska is pushing back
The objections repeat from state to state: strain on the electric grid, water drawn for cooling, and the sense that a facility takes local resources without giving much back. SAVRN builds AI factories designed around those three objections: on-site power that does not lean on the public grid, direct-to-chip cooling that does not consume municipal water, and a training institute that puts local people to work inside the building.
See how a SAVRN factory works Talk to us about a Nebraska site