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Residents urge slowdown on proposed 'mega' data center near Tonganoxie
Summary
Three residents told the Tonganoxie City Council on May 4 that a proposed 600 MW data center near town could threaten air quality, groundwater and local livability, and urged officials to support a moratorium or seek more information before approvals proceed.
Several county and city residents used the public‑comment period at the Tonganoxie City Council meeting on May 4 to urge the council to slow or oppose a proposed “mega data center” planned near Tonganoxie.
Rebecca Davis, of 121 East 2nd Street, said the project’s scale is difficult to grasp and raised health and environmental concerns. “They’re talking 600 megawatts. That’s as much electricity as the country of Finland uses,” Davis said, and she warned that diesel backup generators used for maintenance and outages could produce substantial particulate emissions affecting nearby schools and nursing homes.
Jim Carlskin, who said he is collecting signatures for a petition seeking a moratorium, urged the council to hear from outside experts before taking any action. He said he and other residents have met with company representatives and with county commissioners and offered to share research and arrange a video briefing from a Wisconsin data‑center consultant who has worked on similar projects.
Brian Morley, introduced to the council as a county resident, said many neighbors he’s spoken with oppose the plan and emphasized worries about wellwater contamination and electromagnetic‑field effects. “This is your air. This is your groundwater,” he told the council, asking members to use any influence they have.
Council members acknowledged that land‑use decisions for the project lie primarily with county officials but heard the comments as matters that affect Tonganoxie residents. No formal direction or vote on the project was taken by the council at the meeting.
