Farmers RECC and EKPC release statement about proposed data center project in Barren County
A developer, the Kentucky Industrial Alliance, has filed a lawsuit against Cave City and the Barren County Joint Planning Commission, challenging the legality of a 12-month data center moratorium. This legal action comes amid ongoing resident concerns across Kentucky about proposed data center projects and calls for greater transparency. Farmers Rural Electric Cooperative Corporation and East Kentucky Power Cooperative released a joint statement detailing their data center power tariff and their commitment to providing reliable power without burdening other members.
Kentuckians are calling for increased transparency regarding proposed data center projects as a lawsuit challenges a recently enacted moratorium. The Kentucky Industrial Alliance has sued the City of Cave City, its City Council, and the Barren County Joint Planning Commission, claiming that a 12-month moratorium on data centers implemented by Cave City is unlawful. The developer seeks to have its application reviewed under pre-moratorium zoning rules, following the moratorium's enactment after two special city meetings in May.
Amid these legal developments, residents in Warren County and across the commonwealth have vocalized concerns about the impacts of data centers. Responding to the broader discourse, Farmers Rural Electric Cooperative Corporation (RECC) and East Kentucky Power Cooperative (EKPC) issued a joint statement on June 12 regarding potential data center projects in Barren County.
Farmers RECC and EKPC emphasized their obligation to provide reliable power to all members and detailed their Kentucky Public Service Commission-approved Data Center Power (DCP) tariff. This tariff requires data centers to cover all associated costs and risks through a three-party contract, thereby protecting existing cooperative members from financial burdens or service impacts. The cooperatives clarified that no data center project application has yet been filed with them for Barren County, which would be the initial step for a three-party contract, and they are not currently in discussions with any developer.
Both utilities acknowledged the potential economic benefits of data centers, such as job creation and increased tax revenue, and stated their readiness to support communities that choose to pursue such projects, provided member reliability and costs are safeguarded.