By Fox23.com News Staff
OKMULGEE COUNTY, Okla. — Residents in Okmulgee County are continuing to push for answers about a proposed data center planned near the Deep Fork Wildlife Refuge, saying they have concerns about transparency, environmental impacts and the project’s proximity to a nearby retirement community.
Many residents say they first learned about the proposed Fluidstack data center through social media and word of mouth rather than an official announcement. Since then, they say they’ve filed multiple open records requests seeking information about the project’s water usage, environmental impact and infrastructure plans.
Residents say many of those requests have been delayed or denied, leaving them frustrated as they continue searching for answers.
Community members also say they’re concerned about the facility’s location next to Baptist Village, a retirement community. They question how years of construction could affect emergency response times and the quality of life for elderly residents living nearby.
“We not only worry about the wildlife, but the residents and our vulnerable elderly population,” resident Karly Feltz said.
The proposed site borders the Deep Fork Wildlife Refuge, which residents say provides habitat for several threatened and endangered species, including the federally endangered American burying beetle, alligator snapping turtles and migratory birds.
Residents worry the constant lighting, noise and heat generated by a large data center could affect wildlife and the surrounding ecosystem. They are calling for additional environmental studies before construction begins.
“The American burying beetle is connected to the larger ecosystem through decomposing birds and other wildlife,” resident Gano Perez said. “If the beetle disappears, that’s another piece of the ecosystem we lose, and it affects the birds and migration patterns tied to it.”
Residents say they plan to attend Fluidstack’s public open house at the OSU Institute of Technology to ask questions directly about the project, including its potential effects on water resources, wildlife and nearby neighborhoods.
They say they’re not opposed to development but want more transparency and a thorough environmental review before the project moves forward.
