Surge in data center projects statewide spurs controversy
A surge in data center projects across Missouri has ignited widespread controversy and diverse local government actions. Major developments by Google and Amazon in Montgomery County face a lawsuit over transparency, while other cities like Columbia enacted a moratorium and St. Charles banned data centers. Concerns over water and energy use are driving these local regulatory efforts across the state.
Missouri is experiencing a boom in data center developments, leading to significant public controversy and varied responses from local governments across the state. Governor Mike Kehoe acknowledged the statewide trend, emphasizing that projects must be suitable for individual communities and not state-forced.
In Montgomery County, Google is investing $15 billion in a massive data center, alongside an Amazon project. Despite the county commissioners welcoming these developments as "generational investments," residents, including Sabrina Cope of Preserve Montgomery County LLC, have raised concerns about transparency, water, and energy consumption. Preserve Montgomery County LLC filed a lawsuit against the county and the Missouri Department of Economic Development, alleging a lack of transparency regarding the two projects.
Meanwhile, other Missouri localities are taking proactive steps to regulate or halt data center expansion. The St. Charles City Council recently passed a measure effectively banning data centers, and Columbia City Council adopted a one-year moratorium on data center permits until April 2027. Camdenton's Board of Alderman and the Camden County Commission have also enacted ordinances, and leaders in Centralia and Webster County are exploring zoning changes and regulations for future projects. Webster County Presiding Commissioner Paul Ipock confirmed a Lumon Solutions project was already underway amidst local pushback, prompting the county to consider future regulations.
Google, which already operates 30 data center locations globally and is building another in Kansas City, addressed concerns about its Montgomery County facility, stating it would be air-cooled and that steps were taken to protect energy ratepayers. However, critics like Cope remain unconvinced about the impact on the local energy grid. The Missouri Local Leaders Partnership is scheduled to host a summit in Jefferson City to address the statewide impacts and legal considerations of data center developments.