DUBUQUE, Iowa (KCRG) – The Dubuque City Council approved a temporary six-month moratorium on hyperscale data centers, placing an immediate hold on large-scale facility applications and utility requests while city officials draft permanent regulations. The decision follows adjustments made after a previous meeting, where city leaders delayed action to refine the proposed ordinance and address specific concerns around facility size thresholds and annexation policies. Under the adopted ordinance, a hyperscale data center is defined as any facility that exceeds 100,000 square feet, requires an electrical demand greater than 75 megawatts, uses 50 gallons per minute or more of water for cooling or operations, or contains 5,000 or more computer server units. Meeting any single threshold triggers the moratorium. City Attorney Crenna Brumwell emphasized that the temporary pause allows the city to evaluate utility infrastructure and land annexation without exposing the municipality to legal risk. Brumwell noted that while an outright ban was considered, it carried significant risks for the community. While Council Member Katy Wethal expressed concerns about whether six months would offer enough time to adjust to evolving policy, city officials noted the council maintains the option to extend the timeline if necessary. Mayor Brad Cavanagh expressed confidence in the city’s timeline for adopting a final regulatory framework. During the six months, city staff will complete technical studies on water, energy, and infrastructure impacts while drafting comprehensive standards for future data center proposals.
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – Workers at CSPS Hall walked into a flooded basement Sunday, despite the city spending tens of millions of dollars to keep floodwater out of the Czech Village NewBo area. Inches of water covered the basement. Unlike the 2008 flood, the water did not come from the Cedar River. It came from a combination of a failed sump pump and continuous rain. Cedar Rapids spent more than $50 million on flood protection for the area, including flood walls, a flood gate, and relocated utilities. The system was designed for scenarios such as the Cedar River cresting over 31 feet, as it did 18 years ago. The flood protection system cannot stop water if a sump pump fails and rain continues. The flooding affected CSPS and three other businesses in the building. Water damaged utilities and storage items, and work continues to dry out the space.
MARION, Iowa (KCRG) – The City of Marion’s Public Works Department will be helping flood victims by hosting a free bulk item collection. The city will be able to take any items that were damaged by floodwater, with exceptions for toxic/hazardous materials, propane tanks, auto parts and roofing material. An online request form to schedule a pickup can be found on the city website. Their office hours are 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. The department expects collection to continue until October 2. The Marion Public Works Department can be reached at 319-377-6367.
WATERLOO, Iowa (KXEL) – The City of Waterloo Water Works will be closed for staff training today (September 22) and Thursday (September 24). Customers are welcome to use the drop box in the drive-through, call 319-232-6280 and select Option 2, or visit www.waterloowater.org to make a payment. There will be bills due tomorrow (September 23) and the Water Works office will be open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. that day.
