Nebraska governor names 17 members to new Data Center Task Force

Gov. Jim Pillen on Tuesday announced 17 members to the state's new Data Center Task Force. The creation of the group stems from an executive order Pillen issued in July.

The new task force would be overseen by the Nebraska Department of Water, Environment and Energy (DWEE) and would help evaluate the impact of data centers on Nebraska's water resources, power grids and local infrastructure.

“This task force has a significant undertaking, but its work is critical to considering future data center development,” Gov. Pillen said in a news release. “Data centers are a booming industry, yet we need to protect our most valuable resources. The members of this group bring the knowledge of each of their respective industries. Together, they will ensure that we are making solid decisions when it comes to balancing data center development with the continued preservation of our land, electricity and water.”

The task force members include:

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 NRD

Dave Eichenberg – general manager, Upper Big Blue NRD

Doug Whitfield – vice president of water operations, Metropolitan Utilities District

Pillen's office said the group will also ensure county officials have the "necessary tools, zoning guidelines, and policy frameworks" to handle data center development. The group is expected to have its first meeting next month.

The task force appointments come during a tumultuous year for data centers. Earlier this year, Pillen helped push legislation that would make it easier for data center development in Nebraska, but more than a dozen counties have been inundated over the last several months with pressure from residents to hold off on allowing data centers in their communities, citing environmental concerns. Pillen changed his tune in July and issued an executive order that suspended tax incentives for data center projects in Nebraska.