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Residents warn commissioners about secret talks, NDAs and potential energy projects
Summary
Public commenters told the Osage County Commission they fear behind‑closed‑doors talks and NDAs with energy or tech firms could steer land use and water resources to large projects; commissioners responded that exploratory confidentiality can occur but any project must follow public planning and zoning processes.
Several members of the public used the commission meeting's public-comment period to voice sharp concerns about confidentiality, nondisclosure agreements and the prospect of large energy or data-center projects in the region.
A commenter (speaker 9) opened by asserting that "elected officials have been meeting behind closed doors appearing to shape outcomes privately for the benefit of big energy," saying such projects could use "enormous water consumption" and change agricultural land use. The commenter warned that, once construction is complete, automation and outside ownership could reduce local jobs and make the county "look like a ghost town."
Kenny Graham (speaker 10) amplified the warning and urged transparency in how county officials engage with potential developers. He cautioned that signing nondisclosure agreements can constrain officials' ability to negotiate and to remain objective: "When you sign that nondisclosure agreement ... you basically take yourself out of being able to be objective."
Commission staff and commissioners responded that exploratory conversations sometimes occur in executive session and that proprietary information can be discussed in early stages; the chair noted that if a project moves beyond exploration it must follow normal public planning, zoning and regulatory processes and become public record. "Anything executive session is supposed to be confidential anyway," the chair said, and staff explained the county seeks to provide clear statements about what projects the county will consider.
No county action or agreement with any energy company was announced at the meeting; commissioners directed staff to continue relying on statutory planning and zoning channels and to make public any matters that progress past the exploratory stage.
