Yukon city officials are responding to resident worries by requiring the planned $1 billion data center on 180 acres near Frisco Road to adopt an air‑cooled design. The change reduces the facility’s water consumption dramatically, from the originally projected 2.5 million gallons per day to roughly 50,000 gallons of potable water daily for basic needs such as hand‑washing and toilet flushing.
City manager defends responsible water stewardship
Jeff Deckard, Yukon city manager, emphasized the city’s commitment to its citizens’ water security. \”We have committed to the citizens of Yukon, to everybody involved, we’re not going to give a data center 2.5 million gallons of water, period,\” Deckard said. He noted that the city’s own daily water use ranges between 1 million and 2 million gallons, depending on weather conditions.
Deckard compared the revised demand to other local businesses. \”The hospital uses more than that, and the car washes that have been approved use something similar. It’s not apples‑to‑apples, but it’s similar — somewhere from 20,000 to 30,000 gallons of water,\” he explained, underscoring that the data center’s new water draw is well within the community’s existing usage patterns.
Residents voice broader concerns
While water usage was the headline issue, many Yukon residents also expressed unease about the data center’s proximity to homes and the potential for noise pollution. A petition calling for public votes on future data‑center projects has already gathered 345 signatures, surpassing the 162 needed for verification. The petition is slated for filing at City Hall on Thursday morning.
Economic promise balanced with local safeguards
The data center promises significant economic benefits, including job creation and increased tax revenue for the city. Yet city officials are making clear that growth will not come at the expense of essential resources or quality of life for families. By insisting on air‑cooling technology, Yukon demonstrates a practical, faith‑guided approach to stewardship—protecting the water that families rely on while still welcoming responsible development.
Local business owners have welcomed the compromise. A nearby car‑wash operator noted that the revised water demand mirrors his own facility’s usage, reinforcing the notion that the data center will not strain the municipal supply.
Next steps
The city will continue to monitor the project’s compliance with water‑use guidelines and will hold additional public meetings to address any lingering concerns about noise or traffic. Residents are encouraged to attend the upcoming City Hall session to stay informed and to voice any further input.
Yukon’s proactive response illustrates how local government can balance economic development with the core values of family, faith, and individual liberty, ensuring that progress serves the community rather than overwhelms it.
Original reporting: Oklahoma City News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
