Fort Bend Co. infrastructure conference addresses innovation, energy, mobility, data centers and water
An infrastructure conference in Fort Bend County, Texas, discussed the growing energy and water demands, with a focus on data centers. Speakers highlighted nuclear energy as a solution for the exponential growth of the power grid and the high demands from tech companies like Microsoft and Google. Panelists also advocated for state-level regulations for data centers, as local governments currently handle issues like noise and light pollution.
The 2026 Fort Bend Infrastructure Conference, hosted by the Central Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce and the Fort Bend Regional Partnership in Richmond, Texas, convened to discuss crucial issues including energy, water, and data center development. Attendees from Fort Bend, Katy, and Waller counties heard from various experts on the region's infrastructure challenges and opportunities.
Keynote speaker Doug Robison, founder of Natura Resources, detailed his company's efforts in developing nuclear energy in Texas, emphasizing its potential to replace hydrocarbons for sustainable power generation. Natura Resources is constructing a demonstration nuclear reactor in Abilene, designed to provide both electricity and high process heat. Robison highlighted the growing demand for reliable, dispatchable power, citing requests from major tech companies like Microsoft, Google, and Nucor for substantial non-carbon energy supplies to meet the stringent uptime requirements of data centers.
A panel, "Data Center Power: Myths, Facts, and the Fine Print," led by Gabriela von zur Muehlen of the Texas Association of Business, with panelists Jess Heck of the Data Center Coalition and Chris Tomlinson, columnist for the Houston Chronicle, discussed the regulatory landscape. Panelists advocated for state-level regulations for data centers, noting that current oversight for issues such as noise and light pollution falls primarily to local governments.
Separately, two panels focused on water issues, exploring infrastructure challenges for a growing population and the "Fort Bend Region’s One Water Strategy." Discussions covered integrated water management, water rights, and the need for collaborative leadership and agreement among regional stakeholders to implement sustainable water systems effectively.