Missouri Capitol hosts data center opposition conference
Anti-data center advocates gathered at the Missouri Capitol in Jefferson City to voice concerns and protest a data center summit. Speakers from across the state highlighted issues such as tax abatements, environmental impacts, fire risks, and sound pollution. The event underscored ongoing opposition to rapid data center development throughout Missouri, including specific projects in Liberty and Montgomery City.
Anti-data center advocates convened at the Missouri Capitol in Jefferson City for a press conference on June 17, 2026, to oppose data center development and a concurrent industry summit. Speakers from various parts of Missouri shared concerns about the rapid proliferation of these facilities across the state.
Carrie Lonsdale from Liberty criticized tax abatements, citing a deal between Liberty city officials and Metrobloks for a $1.4 billion data center that includes over $200 million in tax breaks for only 30 jobs. She also raised concerns about data centers as potential military targets and their heightened fire risks, referencing numerous emergency responses at two data centers in Columbus, Ohio.
Olivia Stockman of the Missouri Rural Crisis Center highlighted the statewide scale of data center projects and shared preliminary poll results from Montgomery County, indicating approximately 85% opposition to new data centers following Governor Mike Kehoe's announcement of a $10 billion Amazon data center deal in Montgomery City. Other speakers, including Tom Westhoff, a former Missouri Department of Conservation employee, expressed environmental worries, while attorney Aaron Cook from Independence emphasized the intense power requirements and urged transparency from officials negotiating with tech companies. Candace Turner from Jasper County encouraged civic engagement, and Nodaway County livestock farmer Tim Schafer detailed the disturbing impact of data center sound pollution on animals and the threat to farmland.
The advocates collectively urged lawmakers to provide clarity on data center installation and regulation, emphasizing the need for sustainable community development over what they termed 'short-term big gains' from such projects.