MO residents raise concerns over data center resource usage
Missouri residents are raising concerns about the energy and water demands of data centers as 13 projects remain active statewide. In Festus, residents filed a lawsuit seeking to stop an AI data center, while developers have also explored land in Southeast Missouri, including the Cape Girardeau area.
Missouri has 13 active data center projects across nine counties, prompting concerns about electricity costs, grid upgrades and water consumption. The most significant opposition is in Festus, where residents filed a 12-count lawsuit against an AI data center project, contributing to political turmoil that included the ouster of four incumbent council members, a resignation and a pending mayoral recall petition.
Southeast Missouri economic development officials said developers have examined land in the Cape Girardeau area, although no project has been proposed there. SEMO REDI CEO Shad Burner said Cape Girardeau city projects would face existing regulations and public review, while Cape Girardeau County has no zoning or business regulations. Burner also said evidence that data centers directly increase consumer electricity rates remains limited and noted that newer closed-loop cooling systems may reduce water demand, while acknowledging the potential for jobs, tax revenue and infrastructure investment.