CLINTON, IOWA — September 28, 2026 — The grassroots group Clintonians Against Data Centers (CADC) submitted a petition containing more than 1,500 signatures from registered Clinton voters to Clinton City Hall on Monday, September 28, at 11:30 am. The petition was delivered to the City Clerk’s office.
According to CADC Steering Committee member Celeste Robbins, who has had experience with other petition drives, “This petition is the fastest ever successful petition in Clinton history.”
The signatures were collected over the past two weeks, beginning on September 12 and including hundreds of signatures received during the No Data Center Concert September 13, at the Lyons Farmers Market and other special petition signing and community events. Residents organized around concerns regarding the proposed development and regulation of a hyperscale data center in Clinton.
The proposed ordinance, titled “An Ordinance Adding Chapter 124 to the Clinton Iowa Code of Ordinances, Defining and Regulating Hyperscale Data Centers and Prohibiting Dangerous Practices of the Same in the City of Clinton, Iowa,” seeks to establish definitions and restrictions concerning data centers and hyperscale data centers and prohibit dangerous practices of hyperscale data centers in Clinton.
According to the proposed ordinance, its purpose is to prohibit activities associated with data centers that it states could pose risks to Clinton residents and the environment. The proposal identifies concerns involving health, quality of life, financial stability, historic, geological and archaeological areas, natural habitats, and wetlands.
The ordinance states that its intent is to mitigate those potential risks through local regulation.
In the petition, sensitive receptors are defined as “schools, preschools, day care centers, in-home daycares, health facilities such as hospitals, long term care facilities, retirement and nursing homes, community centers, places of worship, playgrounds, parks (excluding trails), campgrounds, prisons, dormitories, livestock grazing and housing areas, and any residence.”
CADC members have been concerned since the City Council deleted livestock grazing areas from the data center ordinance sensitive receptor definition.
“This ordinance shall regulate practices of any and all new data centers which have completed construction after the date this ordinance is enacted. It shall be unlawful for any hyperscale data center or cryptocurrency data center to operate within one mile of the boundary of any sensitive receptor location.”
Celeste Robbins continued, “Through our petition process, we have met countless neighbors and fellow citizens who want their voice heard. Every signature is a reflection of a choice by a resident to say they want their community protected, that safety is more important than the money. We hope our City leadership will recognize this. It has been an uphill battle, but every Clintonian should take pride in what our group is bringing in today.”
The petition submission comes on the same day the Clinton City Council is scheduled to continue discussions concerning the data center ordinance.
The City Council will hold a Special Committee of the Whole meeting Monday, September 28, at 5:00 pm in the Council Chambers at Clinton City Hall. The Council will continue reviewing the latest proposed data center ordinance revised by City Attorney Patrick O’Connell. This revision contains suggestions brought up by CADC members at the previous Committee of the Whole meeting and a document submitted by CADC Steering Committee member Stephen Figg, who has 17 years experience in the field
CADC members will hold a peaceful protest at City Hall from 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm prior to the Council meeting. Members of the media are encouraged to attend.
Clintonians Against Data Centers is encouraging residents to attend meetings, stay informed about the proposed ordinance and participate in the public discussion surrounding the future of hyperscale data center development in Clinton.
To learn more about Clintonians Against Data Centers, area residents are asked to contact our organization through our Facebook page.
CADC members in photo:
L to R: Christine Voss (in front), Randy Heppner, Terri Hoogheem, Theresa Andrews (holding red notebook) , Celeste Robbins
Photo credit: Christine Voss
