The Lincoln County Commissioners discussed potential data centers coming to the area and transparency surrounding them at Monday’s regular meeting at the courthouse.
A member of the public -- Regina Riley -- spoke during the citizen’s section at a previous meeting and appeared again when the topic was put on the agenda. She was there on behalf of about 140 landowners. While there was no action to be taken by the commissioners, Riley expressed concerns over environmental issues, safety and transparency from elected officials.
The commissioners stated that there was nothing they could do within state statutes to prevent a data center being built in the area as Lincoln County doesn’t have zoning, and that they mostly fell under the purview of state and federal agencies regarding permitting and environmental oversight. District #2 Commissioner Marlon Miller also volunteered to share the notes he took during a short phone conversation he had with Geronimo Power, the company seeking to build in the area.
Riley asked that they remain transparent about these communications and the commissioners expressed willingness to talk to residents.
EmergencyManagement Director Charlotte Brown thanked Riley for speaking totheCommissionersabout the concerns and encouraged the group to also speak with elected officials at the state level, where laws and regulations regarding data centers are being made.
“I think that you coming here and showing your concern at the county level is exactly what you need to do. You go to your city officials, go to whoever will listen to you. But also continue that conversation at the state level, because that is where your laws will change,” Brown said.
There are currently several bills at the Oklahoma state legislature regarding data centers under review. Brown specifically mentioned Senate Bill 1488, which would put a moratorium on new construction of large data centers until 2029 while more research is conducted on the impacts if passed.
After the discussion, the commissioners approved a sheriff’s office resolution accepting insurance proceeds over damage inflicted upon a vehicle door by an inmate.They also approved the TASC contract with the Assessor’s office, a resolution setting up REAPGrant draw down accounts for District 3 and NE Fire, and established a replacement fee for lost courthouse fees.
They then approved a resolution appointing requesting/ receiving/inventory officers for Chandler Fire Department, among other districts, as well as opting in to receive part of the National Prescription Opiate Litigation settlement. The Commissioners alsoapprovedODOTForm 324A’s for District #1 Salt Creek project and the resolution for disposing of equipment from District 3.
TheCommissionerstook no action on a well proposal fromMurrayLandServices or an oil and gas lease with Prime NGL. The surplus of items from the County Clerk’s office was tabled until the next special meeting to add more items.