The planning commission in the city of Piedmont tabled decisions Monday on two proposed data center developments.
It came after residents voiced concerns over the proposals.
“There is too much in the line for this rush decision,” one resident said. “The lives of human beings, if we run out of water or if our water table gets contaminated is what’s at stake. Do not approve and ask questions later. We want to ask questions and get answers first.”
KFOR TV News reported the planning commission decided to ask the city council to do a deeper study whether to relocate the city’s industrial-zoned district to the area where the data centers are proposed. Residents have raised the same kind of concerns that have been raised in other cities around Oklahoma where data center proposals have been considered—Yukon, Coweta, Broken Arrow and others.
Two data centers are being proposed in Piedmont. Beltline Energy is seeking to rezone 321 acres between North 2910 and 2920 roads, north of Azalea Street and south of East 870 Road. Cloverleaf, a Houston-based company, is proposing to rezone 630 acres for a data campus.
Many have raised questions regarding the water needs of large data centers and whether such a demand would create water supply issues for residents and other businesses. Similar questions have been made about the impact on the electric grid and whether it might result in increased rates.
“Approval would cause the way of life we have worked so hard for to cease to exist in every way imaginable,” one resident told the planning commission. “I would like to point out the finite nature of our natural resources. No amount of money can create what no longer exists.”
