A data center campus would mean millions for an Oklahoma town. One family faces the human cost
A 633-acre data center campus, Project Open Sky by Cloverleaf Infrastructure, is proposed near Piedmont, Oklahoma, promising significant tax revenue. However, a local family faces direct impact, and residents are raising concerns about noise, water usage, and a lack of regulation. The Piedmont City Council is set to discuss the project, but Cloverleaf has indicated it will proceed with development on newly acquired land in Kingfisher County even if the city does not approve its current proposal.
The article centers on a proposed 633-acre data center campus, "Project Open Sky," by Cloverleaf Infrastructure near Piedmont, Oklahoma. While the project could generate millions in annual tax revenue for the city, it faces significant local opposition, particularly from the Morrow family, whose home would be just 300 feet from the proposed site. The family, long-time residents of Piedmont, express deep concerns about potential noise, increased water usage, and the impact on their quality of life, citing existing water pressure issues in the community.
Piedmont City Council is scheduled to discuss the project, which involves potential annexation of land into the city limits. However, Cloverleaf CEO David Berry and Chief Development Officer Aaron Bilyeu stated the company has secured an additional 337 acres in Kingfisher County, adjacent to its current plot, ensuring the project will proceed regardless of Piedmont's decision. Berry noted that building in unincorporated areas would lead to lower taxes and less regulation, but expressed a preference for city collaboration to establish clear municipal ordinances.
Local residents have launched a concerted effort to oppose the project, submitting three petitions requesting a data center moratorium, a ban on facility noise, and a requirement for citizen approval following impact studies. The debate also highlights broader state-level concerns, with Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt having signed the Data Center Consumer Ratepayer Protection Act of 2026 and the Groundwater Modernization Act, designed to protect ratepayers from energy costs associated with large data centers and address water concerns. Project Open Sky is estimated to require at least 594 megawatts of power and use 75,000 gallons of water per day, although Cloverleaf claims it will use closed-loop cooling and not impact community water supplies. The Morrows remain worried about the unknown long-term effects and express disappointment that Cloverleaf has not directly engaged with them.