Lyon County Board of County Commissioners Data Ordinance Workshop - August 3, 2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  
August 4, 2026    

Yerington, Nev. – The Lyon County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) met on Monday, Aug. 3, 2026, to host a public workshop to review and discuss a proposed Data Center Ordinance that would establish development standards for future data center projects within the county.

The draft ordinance that was presented to the Board was the result of several years of extensive research and collaboration by Lyon County Commissioners and staff. Lyon County Community Development Director Gavin Henderson provided an overview of the evolution of data centers, reviewed ordinances from jurisdictions across the United States, analyzed lessons learned from communities that have experienced significant data center development, and evaluated best practices related to land use compatibility, infrastructure, water resources, noise, public safety, emergency response, and long-term site management. Staff also examined regulations from numerous cities and counties throughout the country to identify approaches that could be adapted to meet Lyon County's unique needs. 

The draft ordinance proposed numerous standards intended to protect Lyon County's communities, including: 

• Prohibiting water-consuming cooling systems unless they utilize reclaimed or treated effluent under limited circumstances, helping conserve Lyon County's valuable water resources.
• Encouraging on-site renewable energy generation or renewable power purchase agreements to offset electricity consumption and reduce potential impacts on existing utility customers.
• Establishing strict noise and lighting standards designed to minimize impacts on neighboring properties and surrounding communities.
• Requiring setbacks, landscaping, fencing, and screening standards to improve compatibility with adjacent land uses and reduce visual impacts.
• Requiring emergency response plans developed in coordination with local fire agencies and Lyon County Emergency Management.
• Requiring comprehensive traffic, utility, water, wastewater, electrical, and fiscal impact analyses so potential community impacts can be identified and addressed before development occurs.
• Establishing decommissioning requirements and financial assurances to ensure sites are safely restored at the end of their operational life.

To address the community’s concerns related to power demands, the workshop also included a presentation from Jeff Brigger, Vice President of Business Development & Programs for NV Energy, who provided an update on the utility's approach to serving large-load customers, such as data centers. Brigger explained that under NV Energy's propsed new large-load customer requirements, future customers with significant electrical demands will be responsible for the costs associated with the infrastructure needed to serve their projects, including electric generation, transmission facilities, substations, and other related improvements. These requirements are intended to ensure existing residential and commercial utility customers are protected from rate increases associated with new large-scale developments.

The Board voted unanimously to direct staff to incorporate revisions and continue refining portions of the ordinance before returning with an updated draft for future review and consideration. Commissioners requested changes including increasing residential setbacks and incorporating a tiered approach that provides greater separation for taller buildings. Commissioners also directed staff to further refine provisions related to the use of water and cooling system requirements, strengthen language regarding generator operation and usage, clarify the role of the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection (NDEP) in monitoring air quality and permitting requirements, and maintain clear distinctions between different sizes and types of data center developments to ensure the regulations are appropriately scaled. 

Lyon County extends its sincere appreciation to the residents, business owners, industry representatives, and community members who participated in the workshop and shared their comments. Public involvement is a vital part of the ordinance development process, and the Board recognizes the value of hearing diverse perspectives as these regulations are refined. 

The meeting concluded with commissioner comments, and additional public comment. The complete agenda and back up materials are posted online at www.lyon-county.org/Agendacenter. Residents can view recordings of Board of County Commission meetings on the Lyon County YouTube Channel.