County Approves Three-Year Moratorium on Data Centers, Battery Storage and Renewable Energy Projects
The Dickinson County Commission approved Resolution 073026, establishing a temporary moratorium on commercial data centers, battery energy storage systems, and large-scale renewable energy technology development in the unincorporated area of the county, with exceptions for uses already defined and enabled under Article 21 of the zoning regulations. The resolution also exempts previously approved renewable-energy projects and off-grid, on-site renewable installations at owner-occupied residential and commercial sites.
Planning and Zoning Director Tim Hamilton told commissioners the measure spans three years, allocating roughly one year to address each of the three uses. He said the planning commission was in agreement with the county commission on the approach and that the planning commission's motion set the order as data centers first, then battery energy storage, then alternative energy.
Hamilton clarified that the moratorium does not mean any of the uses would be automatically approved after a year; rather, it provides a framework and timeline to develop regulations for each. Officials said there are currently no applicants who have made official applications for any of these uses, and that the action reflects similar moratoriums adopted by other area counties.
Officials said they anticipate the planning commission will bring forward text amendments to Article 21 of the county's zoning regulations over the three-year moratorium period, beginning with data centers during the first year. The commission approved the resolution.