San Antonio City Council members call for moratorium on new data center construction
Three San Antonio City Council members have issued a memo calling for a temporary moratorium on new data center construction within city limits, requesting a special meeting by August 31. This local effort follows broader concerns across Texas, including Governor Greg Abbott's freeze on new data center approvals and a state representative's call for a statewide pause due to power grid strain and environmental impacts. Residents have voiced complaints about noise, pollution, and the strain on resources from these facilities.
Three San Antonio City Council members, Teri Castillo (District 5), Ric Galvan (District 6), and Ivalis Meza Gonzalez (District 8), have formally requested a special meeting to discuss a temporary moratorium on new data center construction within city limits. Their memo calls for a halt on applications for concept plans, site development plans, and permits for data centers, including those classified as 'office data processing and management,' with a meeting targeted for no later than August 31.
This local initiative aligns with growing statewide concerns regarding data center development. Texas Governor Greg Abbott recently froze new data center approvals and directed the Public Utility Commission of Texas and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) to audit all centers awaiting power grid connection. Earlier, state Rep. Gina Hinojosa had advocated for a statewide pause on construction until the Texas Legislature could address the issue, citing concerns that data center growth disproportionately benefits billionaires at the expense of residents.
While developers and tech industry officials emphasize the economic benefits of good-paying jobs and essential modern services like AI and digital banking, opponents highlight the significant power and water consumption of these facilities, which they argue strain finite resources and endanger the state's power grid. Residents have also reported issues such as noise, light, and air pollution. Tom Weeks, a Granbury resident, shared concerns about Bitcoin mining causing health issues in his community, criticizing lawmakers for dismissing constituent feedback. The three San Antonio council members are expected to hold a press conference to further discuss their proposal.