Linn County commission opens discussion on allowing data centers alongside nuclear power

[Marlin]

Linn County commission opens discussion on allowing data centers alongside nuclear power

https://corridorbusiness.com/linn-county-commission-opens-discussion-on-allowing-data-centers-alongside-nuclear-power/

[Core Content]

The Linn County Planning and Zoning Commission has begun public discussions on whether to allow data centers to be sited alongside nuclear power facilities. This exploratory process follows a county-wide moratorium on new data center applications, as officials evaluate if nuclear-linked projects warrant a separate regulatory pathway under existing land-use codes.

The proposal highlights the industry trend of pairing high-capacity nuclear generation with data centers through long-term power purchase agreements. These contracts provide the financial stability required for plant restarts and new construction. For the nuclear industry, the outcome of this zoning debate will determine the feasibility of co-locating energy-intensive technology hubs with carbon-free power sources in the region.

The Linn County Planning and Zoning Commission began soliciting public input Monday, July 20, on whether data centers that support the restart or

Tina DuBois, chair of the Linn County Planning and Zoning Commission, comments during a commission meeting Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. CREDIT RICHARD PRATT

Charlie Nichols, Linn County's planning and development director, told the commission the discussion stems from the moratorium resolution the Board of Supervisors adopted July 1, which barred new applications to the county's EU-3 large-scale data center district for 18 months, but also directed staff to study whether data centers tied to nuclear power deserve separate consideration.

Read the full article at Corridor Business Journal:
https://corridorbusiness.com/linn-county-commission-opens-discussion-on-allowing-data-centers-alongside-nuclear-power/