Solar and data center information
On Wednesday, 17 June, I attended a Data Center Summit to get more information. This meeting was put on by MO Association of Counties, MAC, the Municipal League of MO, representing cities and towns, and the State Association of School Boards. Members of these organizations were the only people allowed to attend. If your city government or school administration did not attend, ask them why they did not participate.
If they did attend, ask them what they learned. I did speak with an attorney at the meeting who told me that with one solar project moving forward and with another starting to talk with attorneys, Bates County will more than likely be looked at for a data center in the future. I can personally say, no one has notified or spoken to me about any data center wanting to come to Bates County.
We, the Commission, have been told that the local Electric Coop cannot supply the electricity needed for a data center and that the rural water districts cannot supply the amount of water needed. Based on the information I have been able to find and what was brought up in Jefferson City, #1, the data center can build their own power supply by various means and #2, they will drill wells and put up tanks to store any water needed. Not all data centers have excess water discharge. Most are using a closed loop system reusing the water before discharging it. I will be getting more information in the next few weeks about data centers and I will be able to share that information with you.
All the townships in Bates County, except for one, have voted down being zoned and having a Planning and Zoning Board like most of our cities have. By not having any form of zoning in the rural areas, the Bates County Commission has NO way of "formally" stopping these projects. There are ways to discourage them, but if landowners are willing to lease or sell their property, they can. I want everyone to know that I will NEVER stand in the way of anyone wanting to lease or sell their property. It is your RIGHT to do what is best for you and your family.
Any time you have questions or concerns, I am willing to address them.
Jim Wheatley, Presiding Commissioner of Bates County
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