De Soto Data Center Sparks Questions as Panasonic Plans Battery Cell Production
Residents in De Soto, Kansas, are raising questions and concerns about a $3 billion data center under construction by Bal Infrastructure, focusing on water and energy usage as well as environmental impacts. A public listening session was held where residents voiced their opposition, even as Panasonic plans a nearby battery cell production facility.
Residents in De Soto, Kansas, are voicing concerns over a $3 billion data center being constructed by Bal Infrastructure. During a public listening session in July, community members shared worries regarding the project's water and energy usage, as well as its overall environmental impact on the town.
Beal (presumably Bal Infrastructure) addressed some of these concerns, stating they pay for infrastructure upgrades related to powering the project and are implementing an air-cooled system to minimize water impacts. The company also announced a $250,000 community fund with initial investments benefiting the City of DeSoto and Johnson County Community College (JCCC).
The discussions surrounding the data center come as nearby neighbor Panasonic confirmed plans to produce battery cells for Tesla at its DeSoto plant within the next two years. This broader industrial development in the community is prompting residents to question the scale and location of such projects, asking if they need to happen in the middle of a residential community.