Join Us in Making a Difference
We Are Oldham County is dedicated to blocking OC Data Center. We are committed to preserving and enhancing our county, protecting our land, our environment, and your financial investment now and for future generations.
What is OC Data Center?
Footage couresy of Hugh Kenny - Piedmont Environmental Council
OC Data Center (Western Hospitality Partners, LLC) has applied for a Conditional Use Permit to build a 600-Megawatt HYPERSCALE data center on Agricultural, Conservation, and Residential land. Also known as Project Lincoln, this heavy industrial campus is roughly 28.7 acres total under roof.
As shown in an artist rendering, the center is comprised of eight 75-foot tall buildings each with its own generator yard. The buildings will house computer equipment and have an average life span of 15-20 years. The campus will also include a substation, switching station, retention ponds, septic, fuel storage, roadways and parking.
The proposed site, a 267 acre farm is surrounded by larger farms, 5 - 10 acre residential / farm properties, and small residential properties. The site is located off KY-53, a two-lane country highway, and less than one mile from scenic highway 42.
Note: At least one of the proposed buildings will be just 800 feet from a home.
As the county zoning map indicates, the proposed site is located on land currently zoned AG1: Agricultural / Residential (Pink) and CO1: Conservation / Residential (Green). All of the surrounding area is Agricultural, Conservation and Residential. Additionally, several tributaries including Harrods Creek and Ash Run Creek run through the property.
OC Data Center will require:
Modification of KY-53.
Upgrade and expansion of water / sewage facilities and infrastructure.
Expansion of our current electrical facilities and infrastructure.This facility will utilize enough electricity to power 400,000-600,000 homes. It is a 600 Megawatt hyperscale facility.
What is OC Data Center?
Footage couresy of Hugh Kenny - Piedmont Environmental Council
OC Data Center (Western Hospitality Partners, LLC) has applied for a Conditional Use Permit to build a 600-Megawatt HYPERSCALE data center on Agricultural, Conservation, and Residential land. Also known as Project Lincoln, this heavy industrial campus is roughly 28.7 acres total under roof.
As shown in an artist rendering, the center is comprised of eight 75-foot tall buildings each with its own generator yard. The buildings will house computer equipment and have an average life span of 15-20 years. The campus will also include a substation, switching station, retention ponds, septic, fuel storage, roadways and parking.
The proposed site, a 267 acre farm is surrounded by larger farms, 5 - 10 acre residential / farm properties, and small residential properties. The site is located off KY-53, a two-lane country highway, and less than one mile from scenic highway 42.
Note: At least one of the proposed buildings will be just 800 feet from a home.
As the county zoning map indicates, the proposed site is located on land currently zoned AG1: Agricultural / Residential (Pink) and CO1: Conservation / Residential (Green). All of the surrounding area is Agricultural, Conservation and Residential. Additionally, several tributaries including Harrods Creek and Ash Run Creek run through the property.
OC Data Center will require:
Modification of KY-53.
Upgrade and expansion of water / sewage facilities and infrastructure.
Expansion of our current electrical facilities and infrastructure.This facility will utilize enough electricity to power 400,000-600,000 homes. It is a 600 Megawatt hyperscale facility.
Why Care?
OC Data Center's application for a Conditional Use Permit should concern all Oldham County residents. Granting this permit would set a precedent compromising the zoning of all Agricultural, Residential and/or Conservation land. HYPERSCALE centers are Heavy Industrial.
The general concerns with hyperscale data centers are exacerbated by the selected location, including:
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Proximity to neighboring residences
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Scale of project relative to land acreage
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Portions of the complex are to be built directly on a floodplain
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Multiple tributaries run through the property
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Infrastructure modifications required
Data centers make a huge impact on the environment & quality of life.
Environmental / Lifestyle
Noise Pollution 24/7
Light Pollution 24/7
Air Pollution from generators
Ground water / tributary pollution
Disrupted / compromised utility service
Animal welfare compromised
Data centers pollute a community's air, ground and water
Health
Air Pollution from diesel generators causes / exacerbates respiratory issues.
Data center noise pollution contributes to sleep disturbances, migraines, and heart disease.
Light pollution, heavy metal exposure and EMF exposure at data center levels may be associated with chronic disease and some cancers.
A data center WILL hurt your pocket book
Financial Impacts
Counties hosting data centers commonly report increased utility rates and decreased property values.
Many homeowners are required to invest in pollution mitigation equipment, including air filtration, water filtration, and light/noise dampening.
Communities that build data centers see up to a 30% reduction in property value while assessed value increases, RAISING property taxes
While OC Data Center (WHP) has cited the following benefits.
The addition of 80 - 150 long-term jobs
Provide significant tax revenue to schools, emergency services, and the general fund
The project will enhance the existing water system to improve service reliability, increase pressure for the surrounding community, and strengthen local firefighting capabilities.
They have not provided any tangible dollars to these benefits, nor have they detailed what costs will be incurred by the county. Keep in mind the proposed site is held by a private owner and not the county.
