Independence residents call for data center moratorium to pause hyperscale AI development
Residents in Independence, Missouri, are continuing their opposition to a multibillion-dollar hyperscale AI data center developed by Nebius. Forming the Independence G.U.A.R.D. Alliance, they are calling on city leaders for a temporary data center moratorium to halt ongoing construction and future proposals. The group is also exploring legal action, specifically focusing on potential violations of the Missouri Sunshine Law, after a judge ruled against a public vote on the project and a recall petition failed.
Independence residents, organized as the Independence G.U.A.R.D. Alliance (Guardians United Against Reckless Development), are actively opposing the Nebius AI hyperscale data center development off Bly Road. Following a recent town hall, the coalition is advocating for a temporary data center moratorium to halt both future proposals and the project's current construction.
This renewed effort comes after a series of setbacks for the opposition. A Jackson County circuit court judge previously ruled against a public vote on the city council's approval of the Nebius data center. Subsequently, a petition to recall city councilman John Perkins failed to gather the necessary signatures, despite a 10-day extension granted by the Independence city clerk.
Daniel Moorehead, leader of the Independence G.U.A.R.D. Alliance, stated the coalition is now exploring legal options with attorneys. Steve Jeffrey of Jeffrey Law Group, representing clients fighting data centers across Missouri, indicated there might be grounds for legal action based on alleged violations of the Missouri Sunshine Law. Jeffrey explained that documented violations could give a circuit judge the authority to void actions taken by the city to approve the project or its tax abatement. Nebius had broken ground on the facility in mid-May.