Oklahoma data center boom sparks backlash as Yukon leaders, residents raise concerns

A contentious debate over water and growth is intensifying in Yukon as residents and city leaders grapple with the long-term costs of supplying major industrial projects, including a data center that uses up to 3 million gallons a day.

The discussion spilled into another packed Yukon City Council meeting, where residents learned how strained and expensive the city’s water outlook could be over the next 25 years.

Emotions ran high, with one resident comparing city leadership to a Nazi regime.

Yukon’s water supply plan examines eight options, including five aquifers, non-potable reuse water, direct potable reuse water, and purchasing 2 million gallons a day from Oklahoma City.

Projected costs exceed $200 million, with millions more expected over the next 25 years for operations and maintenance.

The data center was part of the conversation from the start of the water study, which began in late 2024.

The facility uses up to 3 million gallons a day to cool its servers. One option discussed for meeting that demand is a non-potable supply providing 3 million gallons a day, with $55.9 million in capital costs and a required 18-inch pipe stretching 3.5 miles.

The option is recommended to meet great industrial demands, including a data center.

Council member Rick Cacini said his focus is on residents’ needs rather than industrial users. Cacini said, “We had water problems 8 years ago when I started, and we have water problems today.”

Another council member raised the idea of taking cost out of the equation when considering whether to supply water to the data center.

Residents spoke out one after another against the data center after hearing details of the water plan and costs.

One resident referenced Piedmont, where two data center proposals were tabled on Monday. Another resident said, “It’s not a good deal for us, and the other cities know it already.”

Some residents escalated their criticism of city leadership. One resident said, “I voted for Pillmore, and I regret that vote more than anything probably I’ve ever done in my life because this feels like some nazi regime.”

Others called for city leaders to be recalled. “We will collect those signatures within 30 days, and we’re gonna remove you.”

Concerns also grew over the data center agreement, centered on the purchaser having an “out” while the seller does not.

The city manager was said to have gotten something wrong in August.

The meeting ended with Cacini threatening to sue Mayor Brian Pillmore over comments made in an early May meeting.

Pillmore was not at the meeting, saying he was on vacation with his family.