More than 1,000 people attend Tonganoxie meeting to oppose proposed data center
Over 1,000 residents attended a meeting in Leavenworth County, Kansas, to voice strong opposition to the proposed Project Bluestem hyper scale data center and power plant near Tonganoxie. Concerns primarily revolve around noise, energy and water usage, property values, and environmental impacts. County commissioners are conducting further research after the public hearing, with the project still in early application stages.
Over a thousand residents gathered at the Leavenworth County Fairgrounds Administration Building to express widespread opposition to Project Bluestem, a proposed hyperscale data center and power plant near Tonganoxie, Kansas. The public meeting, which saw capacity overflow, featured numerous speakers sharing concerns with the Leavenworth County Commission.
Key issues raised by residents included noise pollution, significant energy and water consumption, potential impacts on property valuations, and environmental concerns stemming from heat generation. Commissioners Mike Stieben, Vanessa Reid, and Jeff Culbertson acknowledged these concerns and indicated they would conduct further research before making a decision.
Project Bluestem, a 600-watt (potentially 1.2 gigawatts) facility, is planned for over 1,000 acres south of Tonganoxie on what is currently Tailgate Ranch. The project remains in the early stages of the county's application process. A previous moratorium on data center applications has expired, and county officials have not yet provided a timeline for a decision, though local opposition is visibly strong with "no data center" yard signs prevalent.