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Kentucky Lawmakers Hear Data Centers Concerns During Listening Session
Residents and local officials can raise concerns about electricity, water use and safeguards as lawmakers weigh proposed data centers.
- On Thursday, more than 60 Kentuckians gathered at the Capitol Annex in Frankfort for a listening session organized by State Rep. Adam Moore, D-Lexington, to address growing concerns over proposed data center developments statewide.
- Residents pushed back against House Bill 775, the 2025 law granting 50-year tax breaks to data center developers, which critics estimate could cost Kentucky more than $1 billion in tax revenue according to the Center for Economic Development.
- Homeowner Shawnte West of Jefferson County testified she felt blindsided by a planned hyperscale data center near her home, while retired engineer Martin Rivers of Lexington argued data centers should be treated like infrastructure to support artificial intelligence growth.
- Rep. Vanessa Grossl, R-Georgetown, the only Republican present, expressed regret over her HB 775 vote, saying "I don't think we got it right." Moore and other lawmakers indicated they may revisit tax breaks when the legislature reconvenes in January.
- Activists and candidates are calling for solutions ranging from statewide moratoriums to constitutional amendments, while Moore pledged to oppose new hyperscale data center developments in Kentucky without meaningful protections and regulations in place.
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13 Articles
State lawmakers hear data center concerns from across Kentucky at Frankfort 'listening session' • Kentucky Lantern
More than 60 people filled a committee room for the “listening session” on data centers set up by Rep. Adam Moore, D-Lexington, with speakers coming from counties including Barren, Boyle, Boyd, Carroll, Daviess, Breckinridge, Madison, Mercer, Mason, Oldham, Fayette, Franklin, Jefferson, Pike and Woodford. All but one of the speakers voiced concerns or outright opposition […]
Coverage Details
Total News Sources13
Leaning Left5Leaning Right1Center5Last UpdatedBias Distribution46% Left, 45% Center
Bias Distribution
- 46% of the sources lean Left, 45% of the sources are Center
46% Left
L 46%
C 45%
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