Data Center Task Force
Authorized by Governor Jim Pillen’s Executive Order (EO 26-17) and overseen by the Nebraska Department of Water, Energy, and Environment (DWEE), the Data Center Task Force will help evaluate the impact of data centers on Nebraska’s water resources, power grids, and local infrastructure.
In addition to evaluating impacts, the group will work to ensure that county officials have the necessary tools, zoning guidelines, and policy frameworks to manage data center growth effectively.
Executive Order 26-17 can be found here: Executive Order No. 26-17, "Responsible Administration of State Economic Development Incentives Under the ImagiNE Nebraska Act."
This web page will serve as a resource for information related to Task Force activities and resources and will be updated periodically.
Task Force membership includes:
Mark Hewett – president, CEO and director of Berkshire Hathaway Energy
Chris Leitner – president and CEO of Tenaska
David Miles – president of Kiewit Infrastructure Group
Mike Miller – broadband group leader at HDR
Tony Cotton – General (USAF, Ret), former commander US Strategic Command, Offutt Air Force Base
Javier Fernandez – CEO of the Omaha Public Power District
Tom Kent – president and CEO of the Nebraska Public Power District
Emeka Anyanwu – CEO of the Lincoln Electric System
Rick Nelson – general manager of the Nebraska Rural Electric Association
Micaela Wuehler – county commissioner, Lincoln County
Angi Burmeister – county commissioner, Sarpy County
Heath Mello – president and CEO, Greater Omaha Chamber
Kevin Stocker – commissioner, Nebraska Public Service Commission
Ron Kaminski – president, Building, Construction and Trades Council, NE & Southwest IA
John Winkler – general manager, Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District
Dave Eigenberg – general manager, Upper Big Blue Natural Resources District
Doug Whitfield – vice president of water operations, Metropolitan Utilities District
Candace Meredith - deupty director, Nebraska Association of County Officials
Chuck Woodside - CEO of KAAPA Ethanol
Meetings
Resources and Background Materials
Disclaimer: The following resources have been compiled for informational and reference purposes only. Inclusion of a resource does not constitute endorsement, recommendation, or approval by the Nebraska Department of Water, Energy, and Environment or the State of Nebraska.
NACO Land use Permit Toolkit (2026)
A comprehensive toolkit put together by the Nebraska Association of County Officials (NACO) in response to LB663 (2026) to provide counties with practical guidance, planning tools, and educational resources to support consistent, informed, and legally defensible land use decisions.
Nebraska Planning Handbook: Second Edition (2025)
A reference resource for use by citizens, elected officials, and professional planning practitioners in Nebraska to encourage and facilitate sound planning practices in the villages, cities, and counties of the state. The Handbook was made possible by collaborative efforts of several organizations including: Nebraska Planning and Zoning Association, Nebraska Chapter of the American Planning Association, Community and Rural Development Division of the Nebraska Department of Economic Development, Nebraska Association of County Officials, and League of Municipalities.
NRD Rules and Regulations
Examples of natural resources district Rules and Regulations.
- Upper Big Blue Natural Resources District, Rules and Regulations for the Enforcement of the Groundwater Management and Protection Act
- Lower Loup Natural Resources District Rules and Regulation, Groundwater Management Area Rules and Regulations
- Nemaha Natural Resources District, Groundwater Quality Management Area Rules & Regulations
White paper highlighting the growing water footprint of data centers including the water needs for cooling, indirect-use water requirements, water quality and treatment considerations, regional and sectoral comparison of water consumption, and policy recommendations.
Cooling the Cloud: Water Utilities in a Data-Driven World - American Water Works Association
As an organization serving the water utility sector, AWWA provides this report to help water utilities better understand some of the challenges, opportunities, key decision po9ints, and other considerations involving data centers.
Have Data Centers Raised Your Electric Bill?
Summary of a study by the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) providing causal evidence from the United States that data centers caused average retail electricity rates to fall modestly rather than rise. Click here to access the full White Paper.
Data Centers in Lincoln County - FAQ
Data Centers FAQ compiled by the North Platte Area Chamber and Development to provide information on data centers in Lincoln County.
City of Kearney - Data Center Proposed Regulations Webpage
Webpage documenting the City of Kearney’s recent efforts to update their local regulations for data centers
Kansas Department of Commerce - Data Center Myth-Buster
Myth-Busting Reference Guide including evidence-based responses to common misconceptions and disinformation compiled by the Kansas Department of Commerce.
Data Centers & Missouri's Energy Future Roundtable: Public Summary Brief - Missouri Energy Initiative
Summary of major themes and policy recommendations from the roundtable convened by the Missouri Energy Initiative which brought together stakeholders from the energy, utility, local government, economic development, workforce, infrastructure, environmental, and community sectors for a focused discussion on data center growth in Missouri.
Georgia Tech Data Center Ordinance Hub - Energy Policy and Innovation Center
The Energy Policy and Innovation Center’s Georgia Data Center Ordinance Hub was created to provide clear, transparent information on how Georgia jurisdictions are regulating data center projects. The Hub compiles and summarizes local land-use ordinances, one of the primary policy tools communities use to manage the impacts and opportunities associated with data center expansion.
The Hub tracks 15 regulatory topics commonly addressed in data center ordinances, ranging from site planning and building design to power infrastructure, environmental protections, and facility decommissioning. In addition, the Hub monitors local data center moratoria and legislative activity in Georgia related to data center development.
Aligning Data Centers with Sustainability Goals: Local Government Playbook - Great Plains Institute
This playbook provides guidance to local governments on their authorities to mitigate the impacts of large-scale data centers on emissions reduction, water conservation, and other sustainability goals.
Community Benefits Agreements - American Planning Association
Overview of community benefits agreements (CBAs) and highlights different roles local officials can play in CBA processes.
LB1010 (2026) Data Center Reports
Reports can be viewed on our website’s Public Assistance Viewer by clicking the link and entering "DCR" in the "DEQ Program" field.
Reports submitted pursuant to LB1010 (2026) will be added when they are received.