Citizens Energy May Use Eminent Domain to Acquire Land for LEAP-Lebanon Innovation District Data Center
Citizens Energy is considering the use of eminent domain to acquire land from over 400 homeowners for the LEAP-Lebanon Innovation District, which includes a data center and a 52-mile water pipeline from Indianapolis. The project, estimated to cost between $500 million and $700 million, has faced criticism for potentially benefiting private corporations at the expense of taxpayers and limiting landowners' negotiation power. Critics argue that the data centers consume significant resources without delivering public benefits.
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Citizens Energy may utilize eminent domain to acquire properties from hundreds of homeowners for the LEAP-Lebanon Innovation District, which includes a data center. The project involves a 52-mile water pipeline from Indianapolis to Lebanon, impacting over 400 homes and supplying 25 million gallons of water per day.
Tenants include Eli Lilly and a Meta data center, the latter requiring 3 million gallons daily. The total cost of the LEAP District is estimated between $500 million and $700 million, with initial support of $75 million in state loans.
Critics argue that the project does not benefit taxpayers and that data centers consume significant resources without providing public benefits. Eminent domain limits landowners' negotiation power, forcing them to sell land for private corporate benefit. The state is urged to prevent monopoly utilities from using eminent domain for private profit.
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