Petition submitted: Data center opponents hope to recall city councilors

In Sand Springs, Oklahoma, data center opponents have escalated their fight, submitting a petition to recall at least three city councilors. Kyle Schmidt, representing the Protect Sand Springs Alliance, turned in over 1600 signatures, meeting the city charter's requirement of 20% of registered voters in each ward to trigger recall elections. The Protect Sand Springs Alliance was formed in opposition to a proposed Google hyperscale data center. The group is also suing the City of Sand Springs, alleging violations of law by annexing Osage County farmland for the data center six miles outside of town, under the guise of a 1960s-era fenceline. Residents like Terri Coleman, who lives near the proposed site, claim promises were broken regarding the land not being sold for development and feel their concerns are ignored by the city council, despite the council's insistence on a transparent process. The objective of the recall petition is to put councilors Cody Barnett and Mike Birds on notice for what opponents view as a "wrong path" and to signal that there will be political consequences for ignoring the community. Sand Springs City Manager Mike Carter declined to comment on the recall petition but confirmed the city would follow its charter regarding the process. Separately, in Tulsa, Project Anthem, another data center development, has withdrawn its rezoning application.