Data Centers

Some North Texas communities have made efforts to stop – or at least slow – the growth of data centers, but legal challenges from developers are making it an uphill battle.

Development of large-scale data centers is booming across the Midwest and South. As some communities push back, local and state governments are trying to catch up on how to regulate the new development.

Ag Commissioner Sid Miller has proposed a temporary moratorium on data center development.

The state has faced a backlog of large energy consumers who want to connect to the Texas power grid.

On Friday, The Lubbock Chamber of Commerce hosted a panel event intended to get communities involved in conversations about data centers. West Texas is a popular place for data center proposals, but many in the region have reservations about water and energy use, return on investment, and environmental impact. Our Samantha Larned reports on what panelists had to say about the viability of these projects.

Authorities in Sinton won't confirm or deny Corpus Christi's suggestion that the small town is hoarding its precious groundwater for data centers. Across Texas, a booming buildout of server farms is adding strain to water resources that are already stretched to their limit.

Hill County commissioners’ split vote to issue a moratorium appears to be a first in Texas.

Data center construction is unpopular among locals, and a majority of the facilities are being proposed in red, rural counties. That puts Texas Republicans in a tough spot, as the White House has encouraged states to let the centers flourish.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced an investigation yesterday into nearly 30 school districts, including Lubbock ISD, regarding Texas’ Senate Bills 10 and 11. Lubbock ISD released a statement saying it is in compliance with both state laws. A recent report from the University of Texas at Austin revealed that data centers could potentially account for 3-9 percent of the Texas' water use by 2040. KEDT's Rob Boscamp reports they currently represent less than 1%.

Election Day for Lubbock County’s municipal and school elections took place May 2. The City of Lubbock had four positions on the ballot and three of those representatives remain unchanged, including Lubbock’s mayor.