The grassroots organization opposing the Flint Hills Data Center has not issued an official statement on Lyon County’s move towards a moratorium, but it continues its petition push across Lyon County
Emporia Neighbors United presented a potential ordinance to the Americus City Council on Tuesday and is working towards similar presentations for the county’s other small towns later. A presentation to the Olpe City Council is tentatively ahead Aug 5.
Emporia Neighbors United also had planned a protest outside White Auditorium at 3 pm Saturday, but that was canceled to let the group focus on a countywide petition along with the City Council appearances. The group plans a presence at the Emporia City Commission meeting Wednesday as commissioners consider several policy points connected to the Digital Campus.
A petition designed to either stop the process outright, if Emporia city commissioners affirm the document, or put the data center and related battery energy storage systems on the Nov 3 ballot is currently in the signature validation process. Lyon County Clerk Amie Jones says there will be additional verification work over the next few days as the Election Office is concluding offsite voting at the Fairgrounds Anderson Building on Saturday and starting in-person voting onsite at the Lyon County Courthouse on Monday — along with waiting for guidance from the Secretary of State’s Office on mail ballot procedures after a Douglas County judge issued an injunction to reinstate the 3-day grace period for mail ballots to be counted after a given Election Day. She says the process will be done in a timely manner.
