Mat-Su data center plan in doubt after mayor’s veto

The Matanuska-Susitna Borough Assembly had approved a resolution 5-2 to direct borough staff to work with Terra Energy Center Corp. to locate companies that might want to build and operate a data center, energy infrastructure, robotics manufacturing or other industrial development on borough property near Big Lake, Port MacKenzie, or the not-yet-constructed West Susitna Access Road. However, Matanuska-Susitna Borough Mayor Edna DeVries has vetoed the resolution, citing concerns about the borough putting itself at risk by entering a marketing agreement with a private company, the lack of vetting for the proposed locations, and the Assembly's failure to discuss whether a data center would need a conditional use permit. The resolution was part of a larger effort by Terra Energy and its parent company Flatlands Energy to build power infrastructure in Mat-Su, including a new coal plant near Skwentna that would use carbon capture technology. Terra Energy holds a temporary permit for about 1,000 borough-owned acres near Port MacKenzie, which could be used for a data center or other major industrial development to serve as a customer for the new power source.