Knickerbocker community opposes proposed data center and power plant
Approximately 150 residents gathered in Knickerbocker, Texas, to protest a proposed Beacon/Westline data center and its accompanying natural-gas power plant. The meeting featured several Democratic candidates and a Republican county commissioner, highlighting strong local opposition and political engagement against the project. Attendees expressed concerns over a lack of local control, the influence of corporate donations on state leaders, and the potential need for legal action.
Residents of Knickerbocker, Texas, filled the community center to protest a proposed Beacon/Westline data center and its natural-gas power plant. Signs demanding "STOP THE DATA CENTER" were prominent at the meeting, which featured an unusual political lineup including Democratic challengers Claire Reynolds, Riley Rodriquez, and Shiloh Salazar, alongside Republican Tom Green County Commissioner Shawn Nanny, indicating broad local concern over the development.
Speakers at the event criticized state officials for their role in planning for data center expansion in Texas and for accepting corporate donations. One speaker, challenging an incumbent representative, noted the representative sits on the energy and commerce board and had taken substantial donations from data centers and energy companies like NRG, which is involved in building power lines. This financial influence was cited as a reason for the state's push for data center development.
The community voiced frustration over the lack of local control, with county commissioners and judges reportedly "begging for some local control" while state leaders maintain that control should remain at the local level. Attendees were urged to continue exerting public pressure, demand that legislators refuse corporate PAC money, and consider legal avenues, acknowledging the challenges of facing "big billion dollar lawsuit[s]." Commissioner Nanny clarified that Beacon had stated it was not seeking a tax abatement, which is often used by counties to set parameters on facilities.