Hood County Al data center town hall draws bipartisan concerns over water, noise and local control

Residents, elected officials, and political candidates in Hood County, Texas, convened a town hall meeting in Granbury to address the rapid expansion of AI-related data centers. The event highlighted bipartisan concerns over the potential impacts of these developments, including significant water consumption, noise pollution, power generation, and overall environmental impact. Key figures such as Hood County GOP Chair Greg Harrell and Texas agriculture commissioner candidate Clayton Tucker emphasized the issue's ability to transcend traditional political divides, uniting rural Texans. The debate significantly influenced local politics, with County Judge-elect Mark Lowrey, who supported a temporary pause on developments, defeating incumbent Ron Sutton, who had voted against proposed moratoriums. The town hall comes after Hood County commissioners made multiple unsuccessful attempts to pass a temporary moratorium on large-scale developments earlier this year, facing limitations from state law. While Hood County's efforts to enact a moratorium have been rejected, neighboring Hill County recently approved what appears to be the first county-wide moratorium on data center construction in unincorporated areas. Additionally, Somervell County commissioners passed a resolution opposing new data centers until the Texas Legislature implements stronger regulations on water and energy usage, reflecting a broader regional call for increased local regulatory authority.