Oklahoma voters pursue ballot action against the spread of new data centers

Piedmont residents push for a public vote

A proposed data center is stirring debate in Piedmont, Oklahoma. Residents are trying to put decisions about data center development before voters by gathering signatures for citizen initiatives.

The effort is closely tied to opposition surrounding Cloverleaf Infrastructure’s Project Open Sky. Organizers created three citizen initiative petitions with different approaches and say 172 valid signatures are needed for a measure to qualify for a public vote.

Why the petition drive matters

For organizers, collecting signatures is about more than opposition. The petition process could give residents a way to influence development. Ali Taylor, a resident, said people want the decision to be theirs. That raises a question about control.

Data center proposals can affect communities for years. Residents want clear rules before construction begins. Petitions can give voters a role in setting rules. Piedmont’s campaign shows how elections enter local debates.

Project Open Sky faces scrutiny

Cloverleaf Infrastructure has proposed Project Open Sky as a campus. CEO David Berry says Piedmont is a good location because its power system is strong. He said a strong grid can reduce transmission work. The development would include buildings.

That scale helps explain why residents are paying attention. A campus can bring large buildings, cooling equipment, and demand. It can also create new tax revenue. Those benefits are part of the discussion.

Water is a major concern

Water has become a concern around the Piedmont proposal. Some residents see the community as agricultural rather than industrial. Taylor argued that water should remain available for people and livestock. That concern connects the project to resources.

Data centers can need water for cooling, depending on design. Local demand can matter when facilities are proposed. Residents want to understand the project’s water use. Clear information can help readers weigh tradeoffs.

Fun fact: A typical data center can use about 300,000 gallons of water per day, according to Brookings.

The company says cooling will be closed loop

Berry says Project Open Sky would use a closed-loop cooling system, comparing it to an air conditioner that recirculates coolant rather than constantly drawing new water. The project’s proposed zoning documents also require the data center to use closed-loop cooling.

Closed-loop systems can sharply reduce freshwater consumption, but they do not necessarily eliminate all water use at a facility. Industry and environmental research indicates that some closed-loop designs can reduce freshwater use by up to 70%, depending on the system and comparison baseline.

Power infrastructure is another factor

Data centers need a lot of electricity because they run servers. Cooling systems and other equipment add to demand. Berry says Piedmont’s power infrastructure makes the location attractive. He argues a strong grid can limit transmission construction.

The power question reaches beyond the campus itself. Large facilities can affect local utility planning. Communities may want to know how demand is supplied. They may also ask who pays for needed upgrades.

Supporters point to tax revenue

Supporters often highlight the tax revenue data centers can bring. Berry said projects like these can contribute tens of millions of dollars in taxes. That money could help communities pay for services. For smaller towns, revenue can matter too.

Taxes are one part of the conversation in Piedmont. Residents are also weighing water, noise, power, and land use. The debate weighs benefits and local costs. Those questions can shape rules.

Noise limits are part of the plan

One Piedmont petition focuses on noise from data centers. The proposal would prohibit facilities that exceed set noise levels. That would create a standard for projects near homes. It gives residents a clear issue to address.

Noise can come from cooling equipment and backup systems. Setting limits can help define what a community considers acceptable. Organizers want standards established before development moves ahead. Noise limits could become part of approvals.

The debate reflects a national trend

Piedmont is not alone in facing questions about data center growth. Communities are debating water, electricity, noise, and local control. AI expansion has increased demand for computing facilities. That has brought decisions into local planning.

The same pattern is appearing in Ohio and Texas. Residents and officials are asking developers to address infrastructure needs. They are seeking more information before projects are approved. Piedmont’s petition drive fits into that conversation.

Ohio and Texas show similar concerns

Other states are seeing similar data center disputes. In Ashville, Ohio, residents are pursuing a referendum involving a preliminary agreement for two proposed data centers and an accompanying natural-gas power plant. The power facility still requires separate approval from the Ohio Power Siting Board.

In Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott has told data center developers to provide more of their own power, reuse water, pay for infrastructure costs, and avoid shifting expenses onto residential customers. Residents and state leaders have increasingly raised concerns about electricity costs, water, and impacts on nearby communities.

What residents want before approval

Piedmont petition organizers are seeking several guardrails before data center development moves forward. Their proposals include a temporary moratorium tied to impact studies, enforceable noise limits and a requirement for voter approval after studies are completed.

The petition measures still must meet local signature and qualification requirements before voters can decide them. Separately, the Piedmont City Council tabled Project Open Sky’s rezoning application on August 24 and continued its review rather than approving or rejecting the project.

Curious about another way Oklahoma is investing in its communities? See how the state is expanding reading support statewide.

AI growth meets local decision-making

The Piedmont dispute shows how rapid data center growth is bringing questions about land, water, electricity, taxes, and infrastructure into local decision-making. Residents are using petitions and public meetings to seek a larger role in how those projects are regulated.

Project Open Sky remains under review in Piedmont, while Cloverleaf has also secured additional land options in neighboring Kingfisher County that could provide another path for development. The petition campaign could give Piedmont voters a direct say if the measures meet the requirements to qualify for a ballot.

Want to see how Oklahoma’s power demand is changing? Read the latest update on the state’s grid. Explore Oklahoma’s power demand update.

How do you think Oklahoma should balance data center growth with rising power demand? Share your thoughts in the comments.

This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.

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