Butler County exploring Data Center regulations despite no known proposals
MORGANTOWN, Ky. (WNKY) – Butler County officials are exploring potential regulations for large-scale data centers, even though no known projects have been proposed within the county.
During Monday night’s Fiscal Court meeting, Butler County Judge-Executive Tim Flener said local leaders have been consulting attorneys, working with other county officials across Kentucky and attending meetings focused on the rapidly growing industry.
The discussion comes as communities across Kentucky weigh how to address concerns related to data centers, including water usage, infrastructure demands and the potential impact on local resources.
Flener said county officials have begun considering possible regulations but are proceeding cautiously to ensure any measures would be legally enforceable.
“We haven’t got anything, but we do have some ideas on what we’re looking at,” Flener said. “But we just got to make sure that what we do is going to be legally right.”
Unlike some Kentucky counties, Butler County does not have countywide planning and zoning, limiting some of the regulatory tools available to local government.
“Those counties are able to put more precautions in place just because they do have zoning,” Flener said. “Of course, here in Butler County, we don’t have that, and so that’s why we’re looking at other options.”
County Attorney Michele Duvall noted that only about 40 of Kentucky’s 120 counties have countywide planning and zoning.
Officials have discussed a variety of approaches being considered elsewhere in the state, including restrictions related to water use and infrastructure requirements. However, Flener emphasized that Butler County has not finalized any proposals.
He also stressed that county leaders are not responding to a specific development plan.
“I do not know of any data center that’s going to come to Morgantown,” Flener said. “Haven’t heard anything like that, haven’t been contacted by anyone looking to build.”
Still, Flener said county leaders hope to have a framework in place by the beginning of the new fiscal year should a proposal eventually emerge.
“We still want to have something in place,” he said.
