Local residents urge fact‑finding on data centers; petition presented to Letcher County court
June 15, 2026 | Letcher County, Kentucky
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Michael Wine, identifying himself as a resident and representative of a citizen group, told the Letcher County Fiscal Court on June 15 that his group has circulated a petition opposing data centers in eastern Kentucky and asked the court to support a fact‑finding process.
"We have a petition that's been passed around through the fifth district that is against bringing data centers here. It already has over 4,000 signatures, roughly 260 of which come from here in Letcher County," Michael Wine said during the public‑comment period. He asked the court to be willing to form or support a public fact‑finding committee to study infrastructure and environmental impacts should companies seek to locate data centers in the county.
Wine cited examples from other jurisdictions, saying some data centers have produced local air‑quality and infrastructure strains, and he asked the court to consider those tradeoffs before approving any projects. He also invited court members to attend a public learning meeting scheduled for June 30 at the Whitesburg library.
County officials responded they have not been approached by a company about siting a data center in Letcher County but acknowledged neighboring counties have been approached and agreed the issue warrants study. One commissioner said, "I would like to be on that committee and just whatever we decide to do, I'd like to educate myself about it," and commissioners indicated they would attend public sessions if Wine's group opens them to the public.
Why it matters: Data centers can require significant electric capacity, water and land, and residents raised concerns about environmental, health and economic impacts that may accompany large sites. Wine asked for transparency and public hearings if proposals emerge.
What happens next: Organizers plan a public meeting June 30 at the Whitesburg library; several court members said they would consider attending or supporting an educational process prior to any formal county action.
"We have a petition that's been passed around through the fifth district that is against bringing data centers here. It already has over 4,000 signatures, roughly 260 of which come from here in Letcher County," Michael Wine said during the public‑comment period. He asked the court to be willing to form or support a public fact‑finding committee to study infrastructure and environmental impacts should companies seek to locate data centers in the county.
Wine cited examples from other jurisdictions, saying some data centers have produced local air‑quality and infrastructure strains, and he asked the court to consider those tradeoffs before approving any projects. He also invited court members to attend a public learning meeting scheduled for June 30 at the Whitesburg library.
County officials responded they have not been approached by a company about siting a data center in Letcher County but acknowledged neighboring counties have been approached and agreed the issue warrants study. One commissioner said, "I would like to be on that committee and just whatever we decide to do, I'd like to educate myself about it," and commissioners indicated they would attend public sessions if Wine's group opens them to the public.
Why it matters: Data centers can require significant electric capacity, water and land, and residents raised concerns about environmental, health and economic impacts that may accompany large sites. Wine asked for transparency and public hearings if proposals emerge.
What happens next: Organizers plan a public meeting June 30 at the Whitesburg library; several court members said they would consider attending or supporting an educational process prior to any formal county action.
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