Data Center Petitions filed for Topeka, Kan.
Where the Proposed Data Centers Are Located
The proposed Compass Datacenter at 77th and Gary Ormsby and MTAA Forbes Field data center are both located outside of Topeka city limits and are under the jurisdiction of the Shawnee County Commissioners.
Why the Petitions Were Filed with the City
We did not file a petition with the county because it is not allowed per state law; we could only file with the city. We are encouraging the Shawnee County Commissioners to implement the same ordinance language for the county.
Who can sign the petitions?
People who live within Topeka city limits can sign the petitions.
People outside Topeka city limits cannot sign these petitions, but can sign a postcard or send an email to the County Commissioners instead.
Get Involved
We need to get roughly 6,000 signatures in the next few months, and we need your help gathering signatures and spreading the word.
Learn More
Learn more in an informal drop-in setting any time on Thursdays from 5 pm to 8 pm at Pizagels. For more events, check out our calendar here.
Where to Sign the Petitions?
Protect Kansas is identifying high traffic locations to gather signatures. If you have a business or location that you would allow us to host a petition signature table, please let us know here!
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Why These Petitions Matter
On Oct. 26, Protect Kansas and concerned members of the public filed three petitions with the City of Topeka seeking to extend the current moratorium. Roughly 6,000 signatures are needed in 180 days. Enough signatures could put the hyperscale datacenter decision to a vote by the people on a special ballot in March.
Read more from CJ Online here.
The Three Topeka Petitions would:
Ban all data center campuses within Topeka city limits.
Ban annexing land that is proposed for a data center campus or has a data center campus on the property.
Further restrict municipal water services for any possible data center outside of city limits.
What the Petitions Mean
These petitions let voters decide these bans in a special ballot in March. Alternatively, City of Topeka Councilmembers could also choose to adopt the petitions as submitted.
Protect Kansas and SNCO Constituents File Three Petitions against Data Centers
