Efforts are underway to create an initiative petition seeking to ban data centers in Springfield. The city currently has an administrative pause on data centers in place, meaning no applications or reviews of any data center proposals are taking place. This delay is expected to be extended until mid-February.
The Party for Socialism and Liberation-Springfield hosted a people's forum on data centers to raise awareness and discuss concerns about data center development on Saturday, Oct. 10. About 15 people attended the event, which called on folks to share their concerns with local leaders and organize to oppose such projects.
The forum garnered comments about the lack of need for new data centers, criticisms that data centers and artificial intelligence
only benefit tech corporations without safeguards for everyday people in an unregulated market, concerns about how private data is used, and skepticism that elected leaders have their best interests in mind. Most common concerns, cited around the country, such as consumption of water and electricity, environmental contamination and noise, were also mentioned. Some comments expressed a resistance to a holistic ban on data centers, in hopes that they could be placed in existing vacant industrial buildings, as a "middle ground."
The group has been collecting signatures for about three weeks in support of a data center ban. However, so far, this petition has not been legally binding, only collected as a way to show support for such an action to decision makers. James Ritzendollar, an organizer with PSL, said work is currently underway to craft language for an official initiative petition.
Under Springfield's City Charter, which acts as the city's constitution, an initiative petition can be used to propose any ordinance, except for one that appropriates money. An initiative petition requires a number of signatures equal to at least 7% of the registered Springfield voters who cast ballots in the most recent general municipal election in April. If deemed sufficient, Springfield City Council can either vote to accept the ordinance or send the question to the ballot. Ritzendollar said the goal is to have the ban question appear in the April 2027 election, during four council seats will also be on the ballot. The final certification date for the April ballot is Jan. 26, 2027 according to the Missouri Secretary of State's website.
The city's initiative and referendum petition process has in the past been questioned, particularly when it comes to zoning-related matters. Springfield's Charter does not explicitly include language for zoning ordinances but is broad enough they are not excluded. In early 2026, a bill was filed in Jefferson City that would specifically eliminate the ability to challenge zoning changes through a petition or vote. The bill did not advance, but previous lawsuits have also raised questions about whether the charter conflicts with state law that requires a "public hearing" before a zoning change, though the courts have also not resolved the matter.
Ritzendollar said that by growing and enshrining resistance to data centers and pushing for strict protections for local residents and the environment, surrounding communities will follow suit.
The grassroots event was organized after the city hosted its own three public engagement sessions to gather feedback about regulations that should govern data centers. Organizers of the Saturday event expressed frustration with the city's approach, saying that many questions were left unanswered or the answers the city gave felt too general. Another people's forum is scheduled to take place Friday, Oct. 23 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Schweitzer-Brentwood Library branch.
The city is planning to extend the moratorium on data centers until mid-February and create a definition in city codes to define what data centers are. Both issues will be in front of the Springfield Planning & Zoning Commission on Thursday, Oct. 15, and will then head to Springfield City Council. The actions will not set any actual regulations around data centers nor determine whether they will or will not be banned outright in city limits. According to city documents, proposed regulations are anticipated to be presented to council in January.
Marta Mieze covers local government at the News-Leader. Have feedback, tips or story ideas? Contact her at mmieze@news-leader.com.
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Work underway for Springfield initiative petition to ban data centers
