By Ben Morgan and FOX23.com News Staff
A proposed 827-acre data center known as Project Spring is on hold as Sand Springs officials wait for more information from the developer.
The site would be located just east of Highway 97 and about one mile south of Rock School Road.
City Manager Mike Carter said Tuesday the project was originally scheduled for consideration at the Dec. 3 city council meeting, but the item was postponed after the developer, White Rose Partners, formally asked for a delay.
“We are in a holding pattern, waiting for the developer to give us more information,” Carter said. “They did intend on going forward in December for approval of this. The information that the city needed to make an accurate decision, in the citizens’ best interest, we didn’t have that information. And so we’ve asked them to go back and develop that information and get it to us so our council, the best way possible.”
Carter said demand for data centers is rising across the country, and communities nationwide are weighing similar proposals.
He added in a separate portion of the interview:
“It’s like they look for places that have the available electricity, land and in some cases water. And so it didn’t shock me, but we, and there’s been a lot of interest. We’ve had a lot of companies contacting us wanting to do these things. You know, this is a nationwide issue where a lot of communities are having to answer whether they’re going to have data centers in their community.
“I know both President Trump and President Biden both said this is a national priority to get data centers on the ground in our country. And then you have the private sector that wants to do that. They have a constitutional right to come to us and say, this is what we would like to do in that community. And we have a responsibility to listen not only to that private company that wants to do that, but also to the citizens who might be for or against that. And for our council to weigh all of that information and make a proper decision.”
Carter said the city must follow legal requirements throughout the review process.
“… It’s important for people to know that… We have a legal process we have to go through, and people have a right to petition their government to put a data center on the ground and people have a constitutional right to express their concerns. And or their support for that, and we’re going to take all that into consideration, and we’re going to make the best decision through the elected officials that are elected to do that.”
Developers have listed 12 focus areas tied to environmental concerns raised by the community: protecting local character, emissions, water use, groundwater contamination, wastewater treatment, views, wildlife impact, fire and life safety, noise and vibrations, lighting, power use and infrastructure, and roads and traffic.
A spokesperson for White Rose Partners said in a statement that Project Spring “will create hundreds of high-skilled construction and operational jobs across a wide range of skill sets.” The spokesperson said the developer will pay for major upgrades to local power infrastructure needed for the potential data center, calling the improvements a benefit to all residents and an enhancement to the city’s electrical grid at no cost to taxpayers.
The spokesperson added that the facility would occupy less than 10 percent of the property and would be designed to minimize environmental impact and preserve the area’s natural landscape.
A spokesperson for Project Spring sent the following statement:
“Project Spring, a proposed data center development to be operated by a leading U.S. technology company, is set to deliver substantial, long-term benefits to Sand Springs. The project is anticipated to become one of the top taxpayers in Osage County and the City of Sand Springs, generating millions of dollars annually in new revenue for the City, Sand Springs Public Schools, Osage County and Tulsa Tech.
“Project Spring will create hundreds of high-skilled construction and operational jobs across a wide range of skill sets. The developer will also pay for major upgrades to local power infrastructure which are needed for a potential data center but will benefit all residents. This ensures a more resilient electrical grid for all residents without cost to the City or its taxpayers. The project’s end user has a strong reputation for responsible resource use and will adhere to local, state and federal regulations. The facility will be designed with a minimal footprint, occupying less than 10% of the property, with measures in place to minimize environmental impact and preserve the local character and natural landscape.
“We are committed to being a transparent and responsible community partner and look forward to working collaboratively with the City of Sand Springs, its residents, and local stakeholders throughout the planning and development process to ensure this project is a positive and valuable addition to the community.”
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To share questions or concerns with the Sand Springs City Council, email actionline@sandspringsok.gov.
