Data Centers

Tomorrow, the City of Lubbock will be holding a public hearing regarding a potential 90-day pause on large-scale data center development. The city council voted to begin the moratorium procedure in September, with members expressing that they want to take the time to ensure residents and resources are protected before considering any proposals. Our Brad Burt also reports on another agenda item for the meeting, outlining how property owners can petition the city to pave their alleys. The regular Lubbock City Council meeting, including the public hearing, is expected to begin at 2 p.m. tomorrow at Citizens Tower.

Lubbock had its first visit from President Donald Trump on Oct. 27 as he campaigned for Texas’ Republican U.S. Senate candidate Attorney General Ken Paxton. Also in Lubbock at the same time, Democratic candidates were rallying around their U.S. Senate pick James Talarico. While Republicans stressed unity within the party and a focus on maintaining power, Democratic candidates called for change and attempted to reach across party lines.

The TCEQ has temporarily shut down its online application system and has suspended all notices of intent for stormwater construction related to data centers, after a report from a national watchdog organization claimed the commission was violating the governor’s directive. Other actions like air emissions certifications and pollution notices for data center support structures appear unchanged.

A report released this week claims that the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has moved forward with the review and approval of development related to data centers, despite a directive from Texas Governor Greg Abbott. Our Samantha Larned spoke with the author of that report. Farmers dealing with high fuel costs have been promised help by the Trump administration in the form of new one-time payments through an $8 billion Harvest Fuel Relief program. The latest federal forecast shows U.S. farmers are expected to pay nearly 30 percent more for fuel and oil this year compared to 2025.

FracTracker and Public Citizen identified 35 permitting actions taken by regulators in Texas in the weeks after Gov. Greg Abbott ordered a moratorium.

The 664-acre development, called Taylor Technology Campus, is located just outside city limits.

A central Texas city council has approved a deal with the developers of a proposed data center in an unincorporated area of Williamson County. Councilmembers say the annexation will allow the city to better manage the impacts of the project, but residents argue the decision is being rushed. Lubbock Public Libraries are seeking community input about their services. Library users of all branches and ages are encouraged to share their perspective. You can find the survey here until mid-November.

Last month, Lubbock City Council began the procedure to adopt a pause on large-scale data center development. If the moratorium passes, it will be two years until another one can be put in place. With more information and potential changes likely to come out of the state’s legislative session, one councilman has argued that the city should hold off on playing its moratorium card. All the while, the clock may be ticking on the statewide pause on data centers.

The companies have faced waves of public backlash in Texas. To battle that negative public perception, they’ve donated millions to community causes and needs.

Lubbock’s city council passed a resolution on Tuesday initiating the procedure to adopt a 90-day pause on the development of any large-scale data centers. The council will need to hold two public hearings before the moratorium can officially begin.