Frequently Asked Questions

Any project would be required to comply with existing zoning or go through a public process for any changes. This includes Planning Commission review and City Commission approval. No specific project has been proposed at this time, so no specific zoning requests are pending.

No, no areas have been zoned for this purpose at this time. Any proposed rezoning would be reviewed publicly and evaluated for compatibility with surrounding land uses.

Projects are evaluated against the City's comprehensive plan and long-term growth strategy. A key focus has been growing El Dorado's industrial base to strengthen the tax base and reduce reliance on residential property taxes over time.

Project size varies. Any proposal would include a defined footprint and phasing plan, which would be reviewed as part of the approval process.

Data centers are energy-intensive, but usage depends on the size and type of facility. These requirements are evaluated in coordination with the utility provider.

No. Projects are designed with utility coordination to ensure capacity and reliability. Infrastructure upgrades are planned to prevent strain on the system.

If upgrades are needed, they are funded by the project or utility agreements tied to that development. Kansas law requires that data centers have to pay for their own transmission lines and path to power.

No. Data centers pay the full cost of their power usage. In Kansas, discounted electricity rates are not provided to these projects — by law. This is a critical protection for residents and small business ratepayers.

Modern data centers typically use closed-loop cooling processes, so they do not require high daily water intake. The City of El Dorado has actively been marketing water for sale for years and has an additional 10 million gallons of water per day set aside solely for industrial growth.

The City of El Dorado owns the water rights to El Dorado Reservoir. Water sales would be an income stream to the City, supporting local infrastructure and services.

The City has completed water and wastewater studies confirming the ability to support up to 10 million gallons per day for industrial use. El Dorado residents will always receive the first allocation of water from the lake.

Yes. Many modern facilities incorporate water-efficient technologies, and conservation measures can be included as part of project requirements.

No. Since 1995, the lake has remained full or within three feet below full eighty-nine percent of the time. Additional revenue from the sale of water will allow for reinvestment in the lake, including silt removal, erosion reduction, and habitat improvements.

Yes, there will be enough water. El Dorado Lake has the capacity to supply water to 250,000 people in addition to the 30,000 it currently serves. The citizens of El Dorado will always receive the first allocation of water from the lake.

The City's feasibility study with Black & Veatch found that El Dorado could sell an additional allocation of 8.5 billion gallons of water per year, or 23 million gallons per day — compared to the 9–10 million gallons per day it currently sells.

Projects are subject to applicable state and federal environmental regulations and permitting processes, which include environmental review.

Data centers are not major emitters. Backup generators are used infrequently — only during emergencies and scheduled monthly tests — and must comply with air quality regulations.

Typical sound levels are around 50–65 dB at the property line, compared to 70–80 dB for nearby highway traffic. Noise is managed through design, setbacks, and buffering.

Site planning includes setbacks, buffers, and compliance with environmental regulations. Impacts are evaluated as part of the development process.

Data centers typically employ around 30 workers per building, with multiple buildings on a campus — roughly 50–150 permanent jobs per facility. These are skilled, well-compensated, and benefitted positions.

Any incentives, such as abatements, would be considered publicly and approved through established processes. At this point no incentives have been offered or proposed for any specific project.

These projects can generate significant long-term property tax revenue. Revenue sources include property taxes (after abatement periods end), electric franchise fees, and water sales — creating multiple income streams for the city.

Data centers provide high capital investment, long-term revenue, and low demand on city services. Compared to residential development, data centers require minimal infrastructure expansion and generate substantially higher tax revenue per acre.

Construction impacts are temporary and managed through standard permitting and traffic planning processes.

Any required infrastructure improvements are typically identified early and tied to the project. Developers are responsible for funding improvements necessary to serve their facility.

Ongoing operations typically generate minimal daily traffic. A data center with 30–150 employees will have far less traffic impact than manufacturing facilities with thousands of workers.

Data centers include built-in fire detection and suppression systems. Modern facilities are constructed to rigorous safety standards including NFPA 855 and UL 9540A.

Coordination with local emergency services is part of project planning. El Dorado benefits from the HF Sinclair Refinery's highly specialized fire team. Data center operators also conduct pre-opening coordination with fire departments, including training and familiarization tours.

Facilities are designed with redundancy systems, including backup power, to maintain operations during disruptions.

Public hearings and meetings are part of the approval process. Current discussions are taking place proactively to provide information before any specific project is considered.

Yes. Zoning changes and major approvals require public review and hearings. Any proposed data center project would go through the full Planning Commission and City Commission review process.

Yes. Development agreements can include specific commitments regarding noise limits, emissions monitoring, water usage, fire safety, and other community protections.

Agreements include defined terms and conditions that are enforceable. Developers are often required to pay for infrastructure based on projected usage, regardless of actual use.

Facilities are privately owned and maintained. Data center buildings have long lifespans — the equipment inside changes every few years, not the building itself. Sites can also be repurposed over time.

Zoning and land use planning help guide appropriate locations. El Dorado's planning process would evaluate any proposal in the context of existing and future land uses.

Data center development would have a high positive impact on property tax revenue for schools, the city, county, college, and other services. Schools would benefit from increased revenues. Data center groups actively seek to be good community partners.

The goal is to ensure the community benefits through investment, long-term revenue, and economic growth. Data centers contribute through property taxes, franchise fees, and water sales — benefiting city services, schools, and the broader community.

El Dorado has available land and water designated for industrial growth, and projects are structured so developers fund their infrastructure needs. The exchange is land use for sustained long-term revenue and economic stability.

El Dorado has seen this type of impact before. When the refinery was established, it brought jobs, investment, and long-term economic growth. Today it employs approximately 400 workers. Data centers offer a similar opportunity with lower infrastructure demands.

No — and the facts make this clear. Planning Commission meetings are held monthly with publicly posted agendas, open to the public, streamed live on YouTube, and recordings available afterward. El Dorado's leaders have been clear that any data center proposal would go through a full public process.

No. Kansas regulators put strong new protections in place in November 2025 specifically requiring large power users to pay for their own infrastructure under separate rate structures — designed to prevent cost-shifting to residential customers.

Data centers typically create 30–150 permanent jobs. These are skilled, well-compensated positions. Fewer permanent employees means less demand for housing, roads, schools, and city services — a more favorable economic profile.

It's unlikely to raise your taxes and may reduce them over time. After abatement ends (typically 10 years), the facility pays full property taxes — potentially millions per year — which could allow mill levy rates to stabilize or decline.

The evidence is encouraging. A 2025 George Mason University study found homes near data centers in Northern Virginia sold at higher prices than those farther away. Ashburn, Virginia — the data center capital — is one of the most desirable communities in the country.

Modern facilities are engineered with acoustic enclosures and sound barriers. Typical sound levels are 50–65 dB at the property line compared to 70–80 dB for highway traffic.

Yes, when built to modern standards. NFPA 855 and UL 9540A set rigorous safety codes. Modern facilities include dedicated suppression systems and operators coordinate with local fire departments before opening.

Almost certainly not. Data centers employ 30–150 people, meaning minimal traffic, minimal new housing demand, and minimal pressure on schools or emergency services.

Yes. Development agreements and zoning processes give the community real leverage to require specific, binding protections: noise limits, emissions monitoring, landscaping, water usage caps, fire safety requirements, and more.