As demand for digital infrastructure continues to grow, data centers have become an increasingly significant area of interest for communities, policymakers, and stakeholders across Iowa, the Midwest, and the country. This panel brings together experts in local government planning, environmental law and advocacy, and water policy to explore how data center development intersects with zoning and permitting, legal and regulatory frameworks, community engagement, and natural resource management.

Panelists include:

• Kathryn Hoffman, Chief Executive Officer, Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy (MCEA)

• Charlie Nichols, Director, Planning & Development, Linn County, Iowa

• Melissa Scanlan, Lynde B. Uihlein Endowed Chair in Water Policy, Professor, and Director of the Center for Water Policy, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee School of Freshwater Science

This is a virtual webinar event AND will be hosted in Levitt Auditorium at the Boyd Law Building. For the in person session, food will be provided for those who register in advance, before March 4, 2026. Register using this form: https://uiowa.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0iWzNq0nmuzEYLk

For questions, email blake-rupe@uiowa.edu.

More information will be updated on the event website: https://heli.law.uiowa.edu/datacentersiniowa