Data center petition certified with enough valid signatures for next step
A citizen petition seeking to prohibit high-impact data centers in Emporia, Kansas, has been certified with enough valid signatures to move forward. The petition will now go to the Emporia City Commission, which must either adopt the proposed ordinance or submit it to a city-wide vote. This action is part of an ongoing community debate concerning the proposed Flint Hills Digital Campus.
A citizen petition aimed at prohibiting "high-impact data centers" within the City of Emporia, Kansas, has been officially certified by Lyon County Clerk and Election Officer Amie Jones. The petition, submitted to the Lyon County Clerk's Office on July 14, met the state's statutory requirement with 806 valid signatures, exceeding the necessary 805 based on the 2025 City School General Election.
The initiative, led by Emporia Neighbors United, is part of a broader community discussion regarding the proposed Flint Hills Digital Campus. The organization has also been circulating a separate petition concerning battery energy storage systems.
Following the certification, the petition will now be presented to the Emporia City Commission. Under Kansas law, the commission is obligated to either adopt the proposed ordinance without alterations or put the measure to a vote by the city's electors. This marks a significant step in the local debate over data center development.