Get the Facts: Inside OKC metro's largest data center as Oklahoma cities weigh moratoriums
Oklahoma City and Edmond have enacted moratoriums on data center development, prompting other cities in the state to consider similar measures due to public concerns over water, power, and infrastructure. KOCO toured TierPoint's data center in the Oklahoma City metro, which utilizes water recycling for cooling and has relatively modest power consumption, to provide insight into such facilities.
Cities across Oklahoma, including Oklahoma City and Edmond, are actively considering or enacting moratoriums on data center development due to growing public concerns over water, power consumption, and infrastructure strain. Edmond's City Council unanimously approved a six-month moratorium, while Oklahoma City passed a moratorium targeting facilities over 75 megawatts. The Village is researching before deciding on a pause, and both Norman and Luther were scheduled to discuss the issue. The article also highlights the recent resignation of Yukon Vice Mayor Jeff Wooten following data center controversy, underscoring the political sensitivity.
To address public understanding, KOCO reporter Chantelle Navarro toured TierPoint's data center in the Oklahoma City area, currently the largest in the metro. TierPoint employees detailed the facility's operations, including its water-recycling chiller plant and sound-shielded generators, which they say mitigate noise complaints. The facility, which hosts local banks, hospitals, and other companies, consumes approximately 900 kilowatts of electricity, significantly less than the multi-megawatt demands of larger data centers like those operated by Google.