Protect Kansas hosts Montara meeting to raise alarm on data center
The advocacy group Protect Kansas recently held a meeting in Topeka to discuss a proposed 607-acre data center project near Montara. Residents and an environmental scientist raised concerns about the project's potential impact on the environment, local property taxes, and the region's water and energy supplies.
Protect Kansas, a non-partisan, non-profit coalition of data center experts and concerned residents, hosted a meeting at Shawnee South Community Park in Topeka to raise awareness and discuss a proposed 607-acre data center project off Burlingame Road, less than two miles from Montara. The group, founded by Colleen Campbell, was formed after a county commissioner meeting in June where residents felt frustrated with proposed data centers.
During the meeting, attendees voiced significant concerns about the environmental impact of the development. Colleen Campbell, an environmental scientist, highlighted the importance of pollinators in the area, expressing worry about potential pollution. Montara resident Chris Tanner expanded on these concerns, citing the broader economic implications, including rising property taxes and the potential strain on the area's water and energy supplies amid existing shortages. The group aims to bring transparency to local development and ensure community well-being.