Developer withdraws from proposed East Texas data center project
Residents in Henderson County, Texas, successfully opposed a proposed data center by Diode Ventures near Cedar Creek Lake, leading the developer to scrap their plans. While celebrating this victory, activists are now advocating for Governor Greg Abbott to implement a statewide moratorium on new data center developments.
Residents of Henderson County, Texas, near Cedar Creek Lake, are celebrating a significant victory after developer Diode Ventures announced it was abandoning plans for a large-scale data center. The community had actively protested, petitioned, and organized through the non-profit organization Save Cedar Creek Lake to oppose the project, citing concerns about its proximity to homes and the local water supply.
Diode Ventures confirmed its decision by sending a letter to Henderson County officials, stating that Key Ranch Estates was not the right location for such a development. The company emphasized its support for responsible data center development and open community engagement, suggesting it reached the same conclusion as local residents regarding the site's unsuitability.
Despite this success, Ashley Cook, founder of Save Cedar Creek Lake, cautioned that "the fight is not over." She noted that the withdrawal of one project does not prevent others from being proposed in the future. Cook called upon Governor Greg Abbott to implement a yearlong statewide pause on new data center developments in Texas, as the organization continues to gather signatures against future proposals.