Officials answer public’s questions in data center open house
Officials in Bowling Green and Warren County, Kentucky, held an open house to discuss new data center zoning regulations recently approved by the City Commission and expected to be approved by the Fiscal Court. The new rules address zoning, water usage, aesthetics, heat generation, and require a decommissioning plan for future data centers. Community members attended to ask questions about the regulations and their potential impact.
Local government officials in Warren County and Bowling Green, Kentucky, hosted an open house at Western Kentucky University's Knicely Conference Center to address public inquiries regarding recently approved data center regulations. Warren County Judge-Executive Doug Gorman emphasized the importance of public engagement with those involved in daily operations.
The new regulations, which have received final approval from the Bowling Green City Commission and are expected to be approved by the Warren County Fiscal Court this week, dictate that data centers can only be built in industrial-zoned areas. They must be at least 500 feet from adjacent property lines and 1,500 feet from residential areas. Additionally, facilities are required to use "closed-loop" water systems for cooling and adhere to aesthetic guidelines. A mandatory decommissioning plan detailing the shutdown and land restoration process is also part of the new rules.
Around 300 attendees engaged with elected leaders and representatives from various agencies, including Bowling Green Municipal Utilities, Warren Rural Electric Cooperative Corporation, and Atmos Energy, to understand the energy and water implications. While some residents like Charles Campbell raised concerns about prior lack of transparency, others, such as Mary Fathbruckner, expressed appreciation for the thoroughness of the decommissioning requirements. Meredith Wilson, Interim President and CEO of the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce, confirmed that no data center companies are currently in negotiations with local authorities.