Linn County considers allowing data centers alongside nuclear power

The Linn County Planning and Zoning Commission began soliciting public input on July 20 regarding whether data centers supporting nuclear power plant restarts or expansions should be allowed in the EU-2 zoning district, according to the Corridor Business Journal.

The discussion unfolds alongside an active 18-month moratorium on large-scale data centers in unincorporated Linn County. According to the Linn County official website, the Board of Supervisors approved the moratorium on accepting new applications to rezone property to the EU-3 Large-Scale Data Center Zoning District effective July 1, 2026, running through January 1, 2028.

For Cedar Rapids and Linn County residents, the regulatory review carries potential economic, infrastructure, and zoning implications tied to the regional energy landscape. The policy discussions follow a 25-year power purchase agreement announced in October 2025 between NextEra Energy and Google, which aims to support restarting the 615 MW Duane Arnold Energy Center near Palo by the first quarter of 2029, according to the American Nuclear Society and NextEra Energy release records.

Specific details of public comments and commission member questions from the July 20 meeting have not been confirmed through independent primary meeting records. Additional local updates are expected as county officials continue evaluating land-use rules near the Palo area facility.