TOPEKA (KSNT) – A group of local residents and advocates are launching a petition aimed at restricting hyperscale data centers in Topeka and Shawnee County.
Members of Protect Kansas held a petition kickoff event Friday, Nov. 6 at the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library, giving residents an opportunity to learn more about the proposed facilities and sign petitions.
The group is circulating three separate petitions. One seeks to prevent data centers from being built within Topeka city limits. Another aims to prevent the city from annexing proposed data center sites in the county. The third would prevent the city from providing water to data centers located outside city limits.
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Organizers said they are concerned about the potential environmental and financial impacts of the facilities, including noise, air pollution, water usage and increased electricity costs. Michael Bradley, an associate with Protect Kansas, said one proposed facility could require a significant amount of electricity.
“This is going to be a 600 megawatt facility,” Bradley said. “It uses the power of almost the power that the entire county uses is what this one data center would use.”
Bradley also expressed concerns about the potential cost of upgrading electrical infrastructure and how those expenses could affect customers.
The group hopes to collect enough signatures to get the measures on the March special election ballot. Residents who were unable to attend Friday’s event can find additional information and upcoming petition signing locations at Protect Kansas’ website
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