Recall and referendum petitions filed in Claremore over data center
Residents in Claremore, Oklahoma, have filed recall petitions against the entire City Council and referendum petitions to reverse three ordinances that approved the Project Mustang data center. This action aims to allow residents a direct vote on the controversial data center project. Opposition leaders cite concerns about transparency and potential impacts on quality of life.
Claremore, Oklahoma, is experiencing significant local opposition to the recently approved "Project Mustang" data center, following the filing of recall and referendum petitions by residents. Led by social activist Ron Durbin, a group submitted petitions with hundreds of signatures to Claremore City Hall. The recall petitions target every member of the Claremore City Council, aiming to remove them from their positions, while the referendum petitions seek to put three ordinances, which greenlighted the data center, to a public vote.
Local residents, including Alex Miller, expressed frustration over a perceived lack of transparency and communication from city officials regarding the data center. Candidate Hannah Peck is running for city council on a platform of transparency and representation, citing concerns about data centers' impact on other towns. Conversely, former Claremore City Councilor Susan Kirtley urged residents not to sign the petitions, emphasizing the estimated $6.6 million in annual economic benefits Project Mustang is expected to bring to the city.
The City of Claremore maintains confidence in the project's long-term benefits and supports the lawful processes available to citizens. Beale Infrastructure, the company behind the project, has reportedly committed $3.5 million to Northeast Tech's Claremore campus to develop local talent for data center operations. Signature gathering for the petitions is set to begin in front of the Rogers County courthouse.