Willie Nelson condemns data centers 'invading our land' in Texas
Country music icon Willie Nelson has publicly condemned data center developments, specifically in his hometown of Abbott, Hill County, Texas, citing environmental concerns like water usage and light pollution. This comes amid broader opposition across Texas, where a project by Diode was halted, Temple residents attempted recalls over a data center vote, and Hill County settled a lawsuit related to an attempted moratorium.
Willie Nelson, the country music icon, has issued a strong statement urging Texans to resist data center developments, which he describes as "invading our land." Primarily focusing on a project in his hometown of Abbott, Hill County, Nelson expressed concern that these facilities "destroy the environment around them" through noise, water consumption, and light pollution. He emphasized that the strength of rural America stems from its people and land, not from "big industrial footprints" that threaten farmland and local livelihoods.
Nelson's comments come amidst escalating controversy over data centers across Texas. Residents in Temple recently initiated efforts to recall City Council members following a vote to approve a contentious data center. In Hill County, the Commissioners Court settled a lawsuit with a developer after attempting to impose a moratorium on data center construction. Additionally, a project near Cedar Creek Lake by developer Diode was recently abandoned due to bipartisan opposition, and a coalition of farmers and ranchers protested data center expansion at the Texas State Capitol in July.