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St. Louis MO Politics & Government · Politics of Data

Data Center: News, Information & Resource Center for St. Louis MO

Who decides where data centers go near St. Louis — zoning and planning, the local elected board, the county, the state utility commission, and environmental permits — plus what is on file and reporting from across the HERE network.

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Politics of Data

Who Decides on Data Centers Near St. Louis

DATA CENTER: NEWS, INFORMATION & RESOURCE CENTER FOR ST. LOUIS

No local data-center vote or application is on file in HERE St. Louis's reporting yet. If a proposal arrives, these are the people and agencies that would decide it, and this section will track it every week.

A data center in or near St. Louis would first need local land-use approval through City of St. Louis. The Missouri Public Service Commission is the state utility regulator; it reviews rates and large-customer power contracts for the utilities it oversees. Air and water permits come from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

National context: Federal energy researchers estimate data centers used about 4.4% of all U.S. electricity in 2023 and could use 6.7% to 12% by 2028, which is why utility commissions, local boards, and voters are now central to where these campuses land. U.S. Department of Energy report

What’s on file near St. Louis

  • Nothing on file yetNo local data-center vote, rezoning, or application is on file in HERE St. Louis's reporting yet. When one is filed, it will appear here first.

Who decides: zoning, councils, utility regulators & permits

From across the HERE network

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Updated weekly. Last updated Nov 6, 2026.

Questions & Answers

Data Centers Near St. Louis: FAQ

Who approves a data center rezoning near St. Louis?

Rezonings and site plans go through local land-use officials: in St. Louis that is City of St. Louis. Planning commissions hold public hearings and recommend; the elected board casts the final vote.

Who approves large power contracts for data centers in Missouri?

The Missouri Public Service Commission is the state utility regulator. It reviews rates and the large-customer contracts and tariffs that utilities it oversees propose for data centers.

Which Missouri agency issues environmental permits for a data center?

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources issues the air, water, and wastewater permits a large facility needs, including permits for backup generators.

How can a St. Louis resident weigh in on a data center?

Speak or submit written comments at planning commission and council or board meetings, where agendas are posted in advance, and file public comments in utility cases at the state commission. The official links on this page go straight to those bodies.

Is a data center proposed in St. Louis?

No local data-center vote or application is on file in HERE St. Louis's reporting yet. This page is updated weekly, and any proposal will appear here first.

Who runs the power grid serving St. Louis?

Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) operates the regional grid and studies requests to connect large new loads such as data centers.