“A deal with the devil”: Religion motivates data center opponents in Texas
Religious and bipartisan opposition to data center developments is growing in Texas, particularly in Hood County and Granbury. Opponents, including Matt Long and Clayton Tucker, cite concerns over environmental impact, water and power usage, and the perceived spiritual implications of replacing natural beauty with technological complexes. While some religious leaders support data centers as innovation, opponents are actively campaigning against them.
In Hood County, Texas, religious and environmental concerns are fueling a growing, bipartisan opposition movement against data center developments. Matt Long, a member of the Hood County development commission, testified before the Granbury City Council, portraying data centers as a "spiritual abomination" and questioning whether negotiating with companies like Google, Meta, and Amazon aligns with Christian values.
The widespread opposition in Texas, which has 248 planned and 335 operational data centers, centers on the substantial environmental impact, particularly the high demand for water and electricity. Democratic agriculture commissioner candidate Clayton Tucker, a Catholic, draws parallels between data centers and the forbidden fruit, warning against their potential ecological harm. Conversely, Republican Texas Railroad Commissioner Wayne Christian advocates for data centers, citing historical Christian embrace of innovation while emphasizing responsible development.
Opponents like Long interpret biblical passages as warnings against technology that could facilitate surveillance and replace divine creation with man-made constructs. This sentiment resonates across various religious groups, with some, like Clarendon resident Maria Miller, viewing data center proliferation as a sign of the end times. Other faith leaders, such as Rev. Dr. Becca Edwards of Texas Impact and Rabbi Jennie Rosenn of Dayenu, frame their opposition around a moral duty to environmental stewardship, resource protection, and justice.
Joseph Locke, a professor at the University of North Texas, notes that Texans historically leverage religion for social change, and the current anti-data center movement has created unlikely bipartisan alliances, with polls indicating significant opposition across political lines. Tucker, whose campaign is increasingly focused on data center issues due to public petition interest, highlights water scarcity as a critical concern, while Long expresses hope that religiously motivated resistance will prove influential.