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Father says son's seizures eased after reducing home EMFs; urges commissioners to block nearby data center
Summary
A Leavenworth resident testified that changes to home wiring and lighting reduced his son's seizures and said a proposed 1.2‑gigawatt data center adjoining his property would threaten their ability to remain in the home.
At the Leavenworth County commission meeting, Austin Lunsford (S18), who lives adjacent to a proposed data‑center site, gave an emotional account about his 6‑year‑old son’s health and urged commissioners to consider the family's firsthand experience in permitting decisions.
"My son is 6 years old. He suffers from severe seizures," Lunsford said, describing episodes that included temporary paralysis and slurred speech. He told the board that, after identifying EMF sources in the home and investing about $1,800 to adjust his home wiring and dimmer lighting, his son's seizures nearly stopped. Lunsford warned that a "1.2 gigawatt data center...directly touching my property line" would force his family to relocate.
Commissioners listened while other residents echoed concerns about EMF, noise and health impacts. Staff and commissioners noted the need to rely on independent technical studies to inform any permit decisions. The commission did not take immediate regulatory action on the data‑center proposals during the meeting.
Source: public comment by Austin Lunsford (S18).
