Nebraska Creates a Data Center Task Force: What It Is, Who Is Serving, and Why It Matters
- Cass County Facts
- 7 days ago
- 11 min read
On August 19, 2026, Governor Jim Pillen announced the appointment of 17 members to Nebraska's newly created Data Center Task Force.
The task force was created as part of Executive Order 26-17 and is overseen by the Nebraska Department of Water, Environment and Energy (DWEE). Its stated purpose is to evaluate the potential impacts of data centers on Nebraska's water resources, power grids, and local infrastructure, while also helping ensure counties have appropriate tools, zoning guidelines, and policy frameworks for managing future data center growth.
For Cass County residents, this is worth paying attention to.
There is currently no formal data center application before Cass County. However, the state is now undertaking a broader examination of the same issues that communities like Cass County are discussing locally: water, electricity, infrastructure, zoning, economic development, and how Nebraska should prepare for potential future projects.
So what exactly is this task force? Why was it created? Who is serving on it? And what could its work mean for Nebraska, and potentially for Cass County?
Let's break it down.
What Is the Data Center Task Force?
The Data Center Task Force is a statewide group of 17 people appointed by Governor Pillen to study the impacts and implications of large-scale data center development in Nebraska.
The group is overseen by the Nebraska Department of Water, Environment and Energy.
According to the Governor's Office, the task force will evaluate the impacts of data centers on:
Water resources
Power grids
Local infrastructure
It will also work to ensure that county officials have the tools, zoning guidelines, and policy frameworks necessary to manage data center growth effectively. The Governor's Office anticipated that the task force would hold its first meeting in September.
This is a statewide planning and policy effort.
It is not a Cass County permitting body, and it is not reviewing or approving a specific Cass County project.
Why Did Governor Pillen Create It?
The task force is part of a broader response to the rapid growth of the data center industry. Data centers are becoming increasingly important because of cloud computing, artificial intelligence, digital services, and other technologies.
At the same time, large data centers can require significant amounts of electricity and, depending on their design, water. They can also require substantial land, fiber connectivity, roads, electrical infrastructure, and other supporting infrastructure.
Governor Pillen's July 2026 executive order stated that Nebraska needs to evaluate both the economic opportunities and resource impacts associated with data center development. The order specifically directed state agencies to work together when reviewing potential projects and established the task force through DWEE.
The Governor has also said that Nebraska needs to protect its land, water, and electricity resources while determining whether future data center projects are in the state's best interest.
The task force is therefore intended to provide additional information and expertise before Nebraska develops further policies surrounding these projects.
What Questions Will the Task Force Examine?
The Governor's announcement specifically identifies water resources, power grids, and local infrastructure as areas of study. It also identifies county zoning and policy tools as part of the group's work.
That creates several important questions.
Water
How much water could future data centers require?
Where would that water come from?
What cooling technologies would facilities use?
What studies should be required before a project is approved?
How should Nebraska account for the cumulative effects of multiple large facilities?
Not every data center uses the same amount of water. Facility design, cooling technology, climate, operating conditions, and water source all matter. The task force provides an opportunity to examine those questions at a statewide level.
Electricity
Large data centers can require substantial amounts of electricity.
That raises questions about:
Generation capacity
Transmission infrastructure
Grid reliability
New power generation
Infrastructure costs
Impacts on existing utility customers
Nebraska's major public power utilities are represented on the task force, giving the group direct expertise from organizations that operate portions of Nebraska's electrical system.
Local Infrastructure
A large industrial facility can affect infrastructure beyond the facility itself. The task force will consider issues surrounding local infrastructure, which could include questions involving:
Roads
Water systems
Wastewater
Emergency services
Electrical infrastructure
Telecommunications
Fiber networks
The exact issues will depend on the recommendations and work of the task force.
County Zoning
This portion of the task force's work may be particularly relevant to Cass County.
The Governor's Office specifically stated that the group will work to ensure county officials have the necessary tools, zoning guidelines, and policy frameworks to manage data center growth effectively.
Across Nebraska, counties have been asking similar questions:
Do our current zoning regulations adequately address data centers?
Where should they be allowed?
What setbacks should apply?
What infrastructure requirements should exist?
What water and electricity information should developers provide?
What standards should address noise, lighting, roads, emergency services, and other impacts?
Some Nebraska counties have created data-center-specific zoning regulations. Others have considered temporary moratoriums while they develop or update regulations. Cass County is separately going through its own local planning and zoning process.
The state task force does not replace that process, but its eventual recommendations could provide information or policy guidance that becomes relevant to counties across Nebraska.
Who Is Serving on the Task Force?
Governor Pillen appointed 17 members representing a wide range of industries, government entities, and areas of expertise.
Energy & Utilities
Mark Hewett President, CEO and Director — Berkshire Hathaway Energy
Javier Fernandez CEO — Omaha Public Power District
Tom Kent President & CEO — Nebraska Public Power District
Emeka Anyanwu CEO — Lincoln Electric System
Rick Nelson General Manager — Nebraska Rural Electric Association
These members bring expertise in electricity generation, transmission, utility operations, and Nebraska's power system.
Energy, Infrastructure & Technology
Chris Leitner President & CEO — Tenaska
David Miles President — Kiewit Infrastructure Group
Mike Miller Broadband Group Leader — HDR
These members bring experience in energy development, large infrastructure construction, engineering, and broadband infrastructure.
Local Government
Micaela Wuehler County Commissioner — Lincoln County
Angi Burmeister County Commissioner — Sarpy County
Their participation provides direct county-government experience to the task force. That is particularly relevant because counties play an important role in land-use planning and zoning in unincorporated areas.
Water
John Winkler General Manager — Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District
Dave Eichenberg General Manager — Upper Big Blue Natural Resources District
Doug Whitfield Vice President of Water Operations — Metropolitan Utilities District
These members bring experience with Nebraska's water resources, natural resources districts, and municipal water systems.
Economic Development & Regulation
Heath Mello President & CEO — Greater Omaha Chamber
Kevin Stocker Commissioner — Nebraska Public Service Commission
These members bring economic development and state regulatory perspectives.
Construction & Labor
Ron Kaminski President — Building, Construction and Trades Council, Nebraska & Southwest Iowa
His appointment provides a construction and labor perspective on major infrastructure development.
National Security
Tony Cotton General, U.S. Air Force (Ret.) and former Commander of U.S. Strategic Command at Offutt Air Force Base
His background provides a national-security and military perspective to the group.
Many of the People Working on This Are Nebraska-Based
Another important piece of context is where many of these organizations are based.
Several of the companies and utilities represented on the task force are headquartered right here in Nebraska.
This isn't simply a group of people from outside the state being brought in to study Nebraska.
The task force includes executives and leaders from organizations that have built, operated, managed, and invested in Nebraska's energy, infrastructure, water, construction, and economic systems for years.
For example:
Organization | Task Force Representative | Nebraska Connection |
Tenaska | Chris Leitner | Headquartered in Omaha |
Kiewit Corporation | David Miles | Corporate headquarters in Omaha |
Berkshire Hathaway Energy | Mark Hewett | Berkshire Hathaway is headquartered in Omaha |
Omaha Public Power District | Javier Fernandez | Headquartered in Omaha |
Nebraska Public Power District | Tom Kent | Headquartered in Columbus, Nebraska |
Lincoln Electric System | Emeka Anyanwu | Based in Lincoln |
Metropolitan Utilities District | Doug Whitfield | Based in Omaha |
Greater Omaha Chamber | Heath Mello | Based in Omaha |
Nebraska Rural Electric Association | Rick Nelson | Based in Lincoln |
Papio-Missouri River NRD | John Winkler | Based in Omaha |
Upper Big Blue NRD | Dave Eichenberg | Based in York |
Nebraska Public Service Commission | Kevin Stocker | State of Nebraska |
Tenaska identifies Omaha as its corporate headquarters. Kiewit identifies its corporate headquarters in Omaha, and its headquarters project is located in downtown Omaha. Berkshire Hathaway is headquartered in Omaha.
The public power utilities represented on the task force are also Nebraska institutions. OPPD is based in Omaha, NPPD in Columbus, and Lincoln Electric System in Lincoln. M.U.D. is based in Omaha.
Why does that matter?
It doesn't mean that every person on the task force will agree. It doesn't mean that every organization represented has the same interests. And it doesn't mean that Nebraska-based companies don't have economic interests in data center development.
It simply provides important context about the expertise being brought into the room.
These are people who understand Nebraska's unique public power system, water resources, infrastructure, construction industry, economic landscape, and local communities. They aren't approaching the question solely from a national or theoretical perspective. Many of them live, work, operate businesses, employ people, provide utilities, build infrastructure, or manage resources in Nebraska.
That is worth knowing as Nebraskans watch the task force's work unfold.
A Question We've Seen: Is Tenaska's Representation a Conflict of Interest?
This is an important question, particularly for people in Cass County.
Chris Leitner, President and CEO of Tenaska, is one of the 17 members appointed to the task force. Tenaska has also been publicly associated with potential development discussions in Cass County. Because of that connection, some readers may reasonably ask:
"How can Tenaska's CEO serve on a task force that is studying data center development if Tenaska may have an interest in future development?"
We think it is important to address that question directly.
First, the facts.
Chris Leitner is the President and CEO of Tenaska. He was appointed by Governor Pillen to the statewide Data Center Task Force. The task force has 17 members representing energy, utilities, water, local government, construction, economic development, regulation, broadband, and national security.
Tenaska's participation is therefore a matter of public record.
Does that automatically mean there is a conflict of interest?
We cannot make that determination.
Whether a particular appointment constitutes a legal or ethical conflict depends on the applicable laws, ethics rules, disclosure requirements, and the specific matters being considered.
We have not found a statement from the Governor's Office declaring that Leitner's appointment constitutes a conflict of interest. We also have not found a statement from the Governor's Office declaring that it does not.
Rather than make that determination ourselves, we believe the most appropriate approach is to provide the information and allow readers to evaluate it.
Why Might Industry Representation Be Valuable?
There is another side to this question that is also worth acknowledging.
If Nebraska is trying to understand how large energy and data-center projects are actually developed, there can be value in having people with direct industry experience involved in the conversation.
A person who develops energy infrastructure may understand:
Project development timelines
Construction requirements
Power generation
Transmission
Financing
Engineering
Infrastructure costs
Industry constraints
That knowledge may be useful to a group trying to understand the practical realities of large-scale development. The Governor's Office has said the members were selected because they bring knowledge from their respective industries.
Why Is Transparency Still Important?
At the same time, industry representation means that the public should know who has what interests and experience.
Tenaska has a direct interest in energy development.
Public utilities have interests in electricity generation and transmission.
Natural Resources Districts have responsibilities involving water.
County commissioners have experience with local government and land-use decisions.
Economic development organizations have an interest in attracting investment.
All of those perspectives are relevant. And all of them may influence how an individual understands the issues. That doesn't necessarily make someone's participation inappropriate. It simply makes transparency important.
What We Think Readers Should Watch
Rather than telling readers whether they should automatically trust or distrust the task force based on who sits on it, we believe there are better questions to ask as the work begins.
What information does the task force rely on?
What studies are conducted?
Are the underlying data and assumptions available to the public?
What recommendations are ultimately made?
Are relevant interests disclosed?
Are members required to recuse themselves from particular matters when appropriate?
Are multiple perspectives considered?
How does public input become part of the process?
These are the things that can ultimately help the public evaluate the quality and credibility of the task force's work.
What Will the Task Force Actually Do?
The Governor's announcement states that the task force will evaluate the impact of data centers on Nebraska's water resources, power grids, and local infrastructure. It will also work to ensure counties have appropriate tools, zoning guidelines, and policy frameworks to manage data center growth.
The task force is expected to begin meeting in September 2026. As those meetings occur, the public will have an opportunity to learn more about the questions being studied and the recommendations being considered.
What the Task Force Does NOT Do
It is also important to understand what this group is not.
The Data Center Task Force is not:
The Cass County Planning Commission.
The Cass County Board of Commissioners.
A permitting authority for a specific project.
An approval board for a Tenaska project.
An approval board for a Google project.
A replacement for local zoning hearings.
A substitute for the normal county development-application process.
It is a statewide task force examining policy and planning issues surrounding data center development.
What Does This Mean for Cass County?
There are currently two separate conversations taking place.
The Statewide Conversation
Nebraska is studying how the state should approach data center development through the Governor's Executive Order and the newly created task force.
The Cass County Conversation
Cass County is separately examining its zoning and planning regulations in preparation for potential future development. These conversations are related, but they are not the same process.
And one fact remains important:
There is currently no formal data center development application before Cass County.
The creation of the state task force does not change that. If a formal proposal is submitted in the future, it would go through the applicable county, state, and potentially federal processes.
Why This Matters Going Forward
The creation of this task force is significant because Nebraska is moving beyond simply discussing whether data centers should come to the state. State officials are now formally studying
The questions being examined are many of the same questions being discussed locally:
How much water might be needed?
Where will the electricity come from?
Who pays for infrastructure?
How should counties regulate these facilities?
What economic benefits could they bring?
What impacts could they have on existing communities and businesses?
What policies should be in place before projects are proposed?
There are no simple answers to those questions. That is why the work of this task force—and the information it ultimately produces—could be important for communities throughout Nebraska.
Why We're Sharing This
There are already strong opinions about data centers. Some people see them as an opportunity for economic development and investment. Others are concerned about water, electricity, land use, infrastructure, taxes, or other potential impacts.
Our purpose is not to tell you which position to take. It is to explain what the state is actually doing, who is involved, what their stated responsibilities are, and what we know at this point. We believe transparency means acknowledging all relevant facts—even when different people may interpret those facts differently.
Tenaska's CEO is on the task force. That is a fact.
The task force includes 16 other members representing a wide range of public and private interests. That is a fact.
The task force is not a Cass County permitting or approval body. That is a fact.
There is currently no formal data center application before Cass County. That is a fact.
What the task force ultimately recommends—and how Nebraska policymakers use that information—is something we can evaluate as the work becomes public. We'll continue following the public record and sharing what is known as this process develops.
Our goal remains the same: provide the facts, the sources, and the context so residents can make their own informed decisions.
Sources
Office of Governor Jim Pillen — August 19, 2026 "Gov. Pillen Announces Appointments to the Newly Created Data Center Task Force." The Governor's Office provides the task force's stated purpose, anticipated first meeting, and complete list of 17 appointees.
Office of Governor Jim Pillen — July 21, 2026 "Gov. Pillen Signs Executive Order on Data Centers." The announcement explains Executive Order 26-17, the state's review of data center impacts, the role of DWEE, and the relationship between data center development, water, electricity, infrastructure, and county zoning.
Executive Order 26-17 The underlying executive order establishing the state's framework for reviewing data center development.
Important note: This article is intended to explain publicly available information about the Nebraska Data Center Task Force. It does not make a determination regarding any individual's legal or ethical conflict of interest. It also does not represent that any future development will occur in Cass County. The status of any potential project should be determined from official applications, public records, and government proceedings.
