On the crucial issue of data centers, and their potential impact on our water and utility bills, Senator Machaela Cavanaugh introduced LB 1111, a bill to regulate data centers built in Nebraska, and Senators Terrell McKinney and Ashlei Spivey signed on as co-sponsors.

The bill from the trio of Senators would put in place (there are NONE now!) regulations on data centers that require them to pay the full cost of providing new electricity services, including any necessary new infrastructure, and that cost should not be shared or passed on to individual customers like you and me.

The bill would also require that power suppliers make available to the public the name of the project, developers and owners, location of any proposed data center, its proposed size and electricity demand, as well as details on the customer types and term lengths of contracts with proposed data center customers. The bill also requests that the projects have a decommissioning plan and a Community Benefits Agreement.

Read the “Statement of Intent” on LB 1111 from Sen. Cavanaugh .

LB 1111 has been referred to the Natural Resources Committee, and a public hearing has been scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 12 at 1:30 p.m. in Room 1023. 

ACTION: Submit a public comment in support of LB 1111.

  1. Click on “Submit Comments Online For LB1111”, then the “I Understand” box. Be sure to mark yourself as a “Proponent” and then enter your comment in the comment box. Then click the “I’m not a robot” box, and finally the “Submit Comment” button.
  2. Tell the Senators you support LB 1111 and commonsense regulations and requirements for Community Benefits Agreements with proposed data centers, projects with massive power needs which could have an impact on our utility bills.

JOIN US & TESTIFY ON FEB. 12: Bold founder Jane Kleeb plans to appear and testify in support of LB 1111 at the Capitol on Feb. 12 at 1:30 p.m. in Room 1023. . You can join up with us before the hearing at the information desk in the Capitol Rotunda 15 minutes before the hearing begins.