Beltline Energy data center near Jeffrey Energy Center (Emmett area)
Atlanta-based Beltline Energy wants to build a data center campus of 10 to 15 buildings near the Jeffrey Energy Center power plant, then sell it to another company. It would need up to 1.2 gigawatts of power. No application has been filed.
Where things stand: No application filed; land is zoned for farming. County is writing data center zoning rules.
🕒 Latest update (May 6, 2026): Many residents opposed the project at a Beltline open house in Wamego.
What we know
- 📍 WhereFarmland near Emmett, close to Evergy's Jeffrey Energy Center north of St. Marys, Pottawatomie County
- 🏢 CompanyBeltline Energy
- ⚡ Power it needs1,200 megawatts (about as much as 960,000 homes)
- 🔌 Where the power comes fromNear Evergy's Jeffrey Energy Center coal plant; needs 800 MW to 1.2 GW.
- ❄️ CoolingClosed-loop cooling (company claim)
- 💵 Cost$15 billion
❓ Still unanswered
Nobody has answered these in public yet. Can you help find out?
- Who would buy or use the Beltline data center? 🙋 I'll find out
- How many acres would it cover? 🙋 I'll find out
What happened so far
- April 29, 2026County said Beltline was approaching Emmett-area landowners.
- May 6, 2026Many residents opposed the project at a Beltline open house in Wamego.
Local votes and rules
🗺️ Zoning change
The county planning commission is writing a 'data center overlay district' with limits on noise and height. Data centers would have to be within 1,000 feet of an existing high-voltage power line. A public hearing was held Aug. 20, 2026; the county commission makes the final decision.
🗳️ Election
In the Republican primary for a county commission seat, a challenger who opposes large data centers beat the sitting commissioner 400 to 360. No Democrat filed for the seat.
An aerial photo of the area.
Where this comes from
- Pottawatomie County says company is eyeing land for data center, as planners work to develop zoning regulations · WIBW · April 29, 2026
- Officials: Proposed data center could have 10-15 buildings, use up to 1.2 gigawatts of power · The Manhattan Mercury · June 10, 2026
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