Daily Digest — April 11, 2026
Granbury Residents Sue City Over Data Center Annexation, Allege Open Meetings Violations
Four Granbury, Texas, residents have filed a lawsuit against the City of Granbury, Mayor Jim Jarratt, Mayor Pro Tem Bruce Wadley, several city council members, and City Manager Chris Coffman over the proposed annexation of Knox Ranch — a roughly 2,000-acre tract tied to a large-scale data center development. According to KERA News, the suit alleges violations of the Texas Open Meetings Act, including a broken hyperlink to an ordinance on a city council meeting agenda and officials allegedly staggering attendance at a Bilateral Energy data center tour to avoid forming a quorum.
The plaintiffs seek a temporary restraining order and permanent injunction to halt the annexation and related development, as well as a court declaration that the annexation is invalid due to procedural violations. As reported by WFAA, the suit also seeks to restrain the use of public funds, arguing residents are being illegally forced to pay taxes for the project. CBS Texas and WFAA also reported on the filing and the broader legislative debate over data center impacts on the Texas power grid. The City of Granbury has not yet publicly responded to the lawsuit.
Granbury residents sue city over data center plan, allege Texas Open Meetings Act violations
KERA News
Granbury residents sue city leaders over controversial data center
WFAA
Granbury residents sue over the handling of a data center construction proposal
CBS TEXAS
Residents to take the fight against data centers to court as lawmakers debate their long term effect
WFAA
Granbury City Council Approves Zoning Changes for Industrial Development Over Commission Denial
The Granbury City Council voted 6-1 on April 7 to approve amendments to the city's zoning ordinances and comprehensive plan, allowing industrial development — including data centers and power generation facilities — on the 2,100-acre Knox Ranch tract, according to Hood County News. The vote overrode a 6-1 denial by the Granbury Planning and Zoning Commission. Councilwoman Angela Parker was the sole dissenting vote.
More than 20 residents spoke in opposition during public comment, raising concerns about water usage, air pollution, noise, light, and traffic impacts given the property's proximity to homes, schools, and a hospital. Bilateral Energy has already secured a permit from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to build and operate a power plant on the site. City officials characterized the amendments as proactive measures to strengthen regulatory authority over future data center and power generation developments rather than approval of a specific project.
Anti-Data Center Opposition Reshaping North Carolina Local Politics
Opposition to data center developments is intensifying across North Carolina and producing tangible political consequences, according to WUNC News. David Batts unseated four-term incumbent Donald Boswell in an Edgecombe County primary, campaigning primarily against Energy Storage Solutions' proposed data center in Kingsboro Industrial Park — a potential $19.2 billion project.
Key developments across the state include:
- **Stokes County:** Commissioners approved a $10 billion data center project despite opposition; residents and environmental groups have filed a lawsuit.
- **Apex, Wake County:** A developer withdrew a data center plan after resident pushback and is now pursuing rezoning in Vance County.
- **Gates County:** A one-year moratorium on data center construction passed in December 2025, driven by water system and power grid concerns.
- Approximately a dozen North Carolina counties are proposing or have enacted moratoriums on data center construction.
Elon University polling shows 44% of North Carolinians oppose data centers in their communities, with 24% in support. The N.C. Environmental Justice Network is coordinating local opposition groups across the state.
Allen County Critics Seek Moratorium, File Permit Objections Against Google Data Center
Local opponents in Allen County, Indiana, are filing objections to individual building permits for Google's data center expansion and pushing for a county-wide moratorium on future data center projects, according to The Journal Gazette. Google's approved comprehensive development plan allows construction of 12 buildings in phases, each requiring separate permits. Activist Danielle Doepke is systematically objecting to every permit application submitted to state regulators.
Critics are also urging the Allen County Department of Health to partner with an independent agency to monitor air, water, and soil impacts. They cite at least five other Indiana counties — Huntington, Fulton, White, Marshall, and Putnam — that have enacted data center moratoriums. As reported in a separate Journal Gazette piece, a key point of contention is Google's application to expand from 34 to 174 diesel backup generators at the site. City and county officials maintain the project followed all established approval procedures, while critics argue existing standards are insufficient and demand Tier 4F generator regulations.
Trump's Ratepayer Protection Pledge Unlikely to Affect Google's Fort Wayne Deal
The national "Ratepayer Protection Pledge" signed by tech leaders and President Trump — requiring companies to cover the full cost of powering their data centers — is not expected to apply to Google's Fort Wayne, Indiana, data center, according to The Journal Gazette. Google established an agreement with Indiana Michigan Power (I&M) in August 2025 under a custom demand response structure, committing to shift non-urgent tasks to off-peak hours to reduce grid strain.
I&M president Steve Baker described Google's load flexibility as a valuable tool for managing generation and transmission resources and ensuring grid stability.
Wisconsin Utilities Ask FERC to Pause Competitive Bidding for Transmission Projects
A coalition of utilities including Xcel Energy and American Transmission Company (ATC), operating as the "Grid Acceleration Coalition," has filed a complaint with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) requesting a temporary suspension of competitive bidding for major transmission projects, according to Wisconsin Watch and the Vernon Reporter. The utilities argue that bidding processes add months to project timelines, hindering grid buildout needed for AI-driven data center demand.
The coalition has proposed either case-by-case exemptions or a five-year suspension of competitive bidding. They cited a recent MISO decision where ATC was awarded substation projects in Fond du Lac, Ozaukee, and Sheboygan counties despite a higher bid because it could meet the urgent timeline for a Vantage data center. Ratepayer advocacy groups, including the Wisconsin Citizens Utility Board, oppose the proposal, arguing it would inflate costs and raise electricity bills for consumers.
Possible Data Center in Wisconsin's Driftless Area
New details are emerging about a potential data center development in Wisconsin's Driftless Area in Grant County, according to The Daily Reporter. The project appears to be in early planning stages.