Finney County Officials Approve Data Center Permit Amid Water Concerns
A proposed data center by Triple Oak Power in Finney County, Kansas, plans to use 600 million gallons of water annually, which the company claims is a significant reduction compared to current agricultural irrigation on the site. Despite local opposition citing concerns about water use, soil erosion, and transparency, Finney County officials approved a key special use permit for the project. The debate continues over the project's environmental impact and economic benefits.
Triple Oak Power is proposing a data center project on 6,000 acres in Finney County, Kansas, near Garden City, which has drawn significant local opposition due to concerns over water consumption, potential soil erosion, and a perceived lack of transparency.
The company claims the data center, which would require 600 million gallons of water annually for direct evaporative cooling during peak months, would actually conserve water compared to the current agricultural irrigation on the land, which uses five times that amount. This claim is supported by Trevor Ahring, a civil engineer for Groundwater Management District 3, who noted the project would save substantial water compared to the numerous center-pivot irrigators currently on the property.
Despite the water conservation argument, residents like Jackson and Tucker Turner have led opposition efforts, including creating a Facebook page, expressing skepticism about Triple Oak Power's promises and the county's oversight. They are particularly worried about the impact of uncovering sandy soil for solar panels, which they believe will lead to erosion. Melissa Scanlan, director of the Center for Water Policy, highlighted a lack of regional planning and regulation for data centers as a contributing factor to local anxiety.
Nevertheless, Finney County officials approved a key special use permit for the project in early June. Lona Duvall, director of the Finney County Economic Development Corporation, stated that the project could diversify the local economy, bringing over $80 million in taxes over 30 years and creating more than 600 construction jobs, provided Triple Oak Power meets investment and job creation requirements, and implements a water conservation plan. The finalization of the project is still pending.