Texas county rescinds its data center moratorium after $100 million lawsuit from developer
Hill County, Texas, has rescinded its recently enacted data center moratorium after facing a $100 million lawsuit from an unnamed developer. The county commissioners unanimously voted to end the moratorium and instead implement a checklist of requirements for data center developers. County Judge Shane Brassell believes the new checklist is on firmer legal ground and that the temporary pause successfully deterred less desirable projects.
Hill County, a rural North Texas county, has lifted its data center moratorium just two weeks after it was initially instated, following a $100 million lawsuit filed by a developer. The county's Commissioners, who were reportedly the first in Texas to pass such a measure, voted unanimously on Thursday to rescind the temporary pause and replace it with a comprehensive checklist of requirements for data center developers.
County Judge Shane Brassell indicated that despite the quick reversal due to the legal challenge, he still views the moratorium as a success. He stated that it helped deter "less desirable" projects from the county and provided officials with additional time to research and understand other ongoing projects, enabling them to formulate the new, legally sound checklist.