Advocacy group can continue to challenge Montgomery County data centers, judge rules
A judge ruled that Preserve Montgomery County, an advocacy group, can continue its lawsuit against Montgomery County regarding data center developments. The lawsuit challenges the county's alleged failure to provide sufficient information about the water and electricity usage of data centers, specifically mentioning an Amazon project. While claims against the state were dismissed, the case against the county will proceed.
An advocacy group, Preserve Montgomery County, has received a favorable ruling from a Cole County circuit judge, allowing it to proceed with its lawsuit challenging data center developments in Montgomery County, Missouri. The judge's decision, issued recently, denied a motion filed by Montgomery County and the Missouri Department of Economic Development to dismiss the legal action.
The lawsuit, originally filed in February, contends that Montgomery County and the Missouri Department of Economic Development failed to adequately inform the public about the environmental impact of data centers, particularly their significant water and electricity consumption. The legal complaint specifically referenced an Amazon data center project located east of New Florence, noting that Google is also constructing a data center in the vicinity.
Despite the ruling, the judge did dismiss the claims against the Missouri Department of Economic Development, effectively removing the state agency from the ongoing litigation. However, the case against Montgomery County will continue. No future hearings for the case have been scheduled to date.