Data center concerns give grassroots organizing new focus in southcentral Kentucky
Data center development has become a major issue in Bowling Green’s local elections after city commissioners twice rejected a proposed six-month moratorium. The commission instead unanimously adopted regulations requiring a 1,500-foot residential buffer, noise and emissions limits, closed-loop cooling, and payment for utility upgrades, while activists continue pushing for a moratorium and greater public input.
Grassroots organizers in Bowling Green, led in part by SOKY Indivisible, have made data center development a central local election issue. Activists opposed the city’s decision to reject a six-month moratorium, which failed twice on 3-2 votes, and are questioning incumbents about concerns involving public input, environmental impacts, noise, water use and electricity costs.
The Bowling Green City Commission ultimately voted 5-0 to adopt restrictions on future data center projects, including a 1,500-foot setback from residential areas, limits on noise and emissions, closed-loop cooling systems and payment for necessary utility upgrades. Commissioners Dana Beasley-Brown and Carlos Bailey, along with candidate Tom Morris, continue to support a moratorium, while commissioners Melinda Hill, Sue Parrigin and Mayor Todd Alcott defended the regulatory approach. No specific data center project was pending in Bowling Green, but the issue has energized voters and grassroots groups ahead of the election.