Piedmont residents raise water, growth concerns over proposed massive data center project

Piedmont, Oklahoma, residents gathered at an open house to discuss a proposed large-scale data center development by Cloverleaf, raising significant concerns about its potential impact on local water resources, infrastructure, and long-term community growth. The project, which could span up to 2 million square feet and require up to 1.5 gigawatts of power, is planned south of the Matthewson substation due to its strong electrical grid access. Aaron Bilyeu, chief development officer for Cloverleaf, assured residents that the facility would utilize a closed-loop cooling system, consuming minimal water primarily for office amenities, similar to a small office building. He also stated that Cloverleaf would not drill groundwater wells and would entirely fund new water infrastructure, including a water tower and mains, as well as road upgrades to support the development. Despite these assurances, residents like Mark Hall, a 21-year local, expressed skepticism, fearing the project could strain limited water resources, especially during ongoing drought conditions, and raise environmental concerns. Former Piedmont City Council member and mayor Melissa Ashford also voiced strong opposition, citing worries about water quality, utility costs, and potential long-term environmental consequences, advocating against the data centers in her town. The debate occurs as Oklahoma aims to attract data centers, with Cloverleaf expressing support for the state's recently passed Data Center Consumer Protection Act, which mandates large power users to cover infrastructure upgrade costs. Community scrutiny over data centers' demands on electricity, water, and infrastructure continues to grow nationwide.