Data center opposition in Kentucky inspires local political campaigns

Cody Stinnett, a 32-year-old Mercer County resident, plans to switch his political affiliation to Independent due to strong concerns over the expansion of power-intensive data centers in Kentucky. His activism was fueled by the potential for a data center near his home in Mercer County, leading him to organize with "We Are Mercer County" and run as a write-in candidate for county magistrate. Stinnett is among many Kentuckians whose opposition to data centers has animated local politics, highlighting a conflict between economic development goals and environmental impact concerns. The debate in Mercer County has escalated since December 2025, when the Mercer County Planning and Zoning Commission began seeking a consultant for a large-scale data center project. The Mercer County Industrial Development Authority revealed in February that a private landowner was marketing land near the E.W. Brown Generating Station for development. In response to resident outcry, the Planning and Zoning Commission unveiled a draft ordinance for data center regulation in late April, which includes provisions for new data center zones to be at least a mile from specific landmarks. During an April meeting, residents raised concerns about the use of prime farmland and the potential for electricity infrastructure upgrade costs to burden ratepayers. Diane Floyd, a biology professor and "We Are Mercer County" organizer, voiced skepticism about local government's capacity to vet such large projects. Several attendees, including environmental attorney Randy Strobo and various Democratic political candidates, called for a moratorium on data center development to allow for proper planning and assessment. Meanwhile, in Mason County, the nonprofit "We Are Mason County" has filed a lawsuit against the local government, asserting that an existing data center regulation ordinance conflicts with the county's comprehensive plan. Max Moran, the group's leader and a Republican candidate for county judge-executive, cites the data center issue as his motivation to run. State-level efforts to regulate data centers, including a bill to prevent ratepayers from bearing infrastructure costs, ultimately failed in the recent legislative session in Frankfort.