Oklahoma city council members welcomed a Google data center. Now they face a recall.

Mar 25, 2026 · 1786 words · By Bracey Harris

Analysis Summary

“Google was interested in building its newest AI data center on 827 acres of farmland just outside Sand Springs, Oklahoma.”

❓ INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE — No evidence in archive confirms or refutes Google's interest in building an AI data center in Sand Springs, Oklahoma.

“Residents of Sand Springs have filed a ballot measure to recall the entire City Council, including Mayor Jim Spoon.”

❓ INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE — No evidence in archive verifies residents initiated a recall campaign targeting the City Council.

“The city annexed land along Highway 97 into its city limits to connect it to power lines.”

❓ INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE — No evidence in archive confirms or denies the annexation of Highway 97 land for power lines.

“A lawsuit has been filed challenging the annexation of land for the Google data center project.”

❓ INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE — No evidence in archive supports or contradicts the existence of a lawsuit challenging land annexation for the data center.

“The recall petition requires approximately 5,000 signatures across the city’s six wards to get on the ballot by March 31.”

❓ INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE — No evidence in archive verifies the recall petition's signature requirements or timeline.

“Sand Springs held information sessions about the Google data center project in January before the City Council approved the rezoning in February.”

❓ INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE — No evidence in archive confirms or refutes the timing of information sessions relative to rezoning approval.

“In 2023, approximately 12% of recall targets were successfully removed from office nationwide.”

❓ INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE — No evidence in archive provides data on nationwide recall success rates in 2023.

“Google claims its data center will occupy less than 10% of the 827-acre site.”

❓ INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE — No evidence in archive verifies Google's claims about data center site occupancy.

“Some residents of Sand Springs support the Google data center project, arguing it will bring jobs and tax revenue.”

❓ INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE — No evidence in archive confirms resident support for the project or its economic arguments.

“Land Legacy, a conservation organization, has filed a lawsuit alleging the project violates a landowners' agreement against industrial use.”

❓ INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE — No evidence in archive verifies Land Legacy's lawsuit or its claims about landowners' agreements.

“Residents of Osage County, who own land near the Google data center site, cannot vote in Sand Springs city elections.”

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“City officials estimate the Google data center project will create at least 1,000 jobs during construction and 200 permanent jobs.”

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“Council member Mike Burdge supports the Google data center project, stating it will bring industry and jobs to the city.”

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“The recall campaign is described as a 'nuclear option' by opponents of the Google data center project.”

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“A lawsuit challenges the annexation of land for the Google data center, arguing that an ordinance from the 1970s invalidated the annexation basis.”

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“Rick Plummer, a resident of Sand Springs, is concerned that the Google data center will disturb his horses and negatively impact property values.”

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“Sand Springs rezoned land from agricultural to industrial use to accommodate the Google data center project.”

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