Willie Nelson urges Americans to fight ‘water thieving’ AI data centers devouring rural Texas farmland
Willie Nelson is urging Americans to oppose AI data centers in rural Texas, citing concerns about water consumption, light pollution, and the loss of farmland near his hometown of Abbott. Concurrently, Texas Governor Greg Abbott has called for a ban on these developments in rural areas and the elimination of their tax breaks, demanding they provide their own resources.
Willie Nelson, the 93-year-old country music icon, has issued a public plea urging Americans to oppose the expansion of AI data centers, particularly in rural Texas. Nelson, who still maintains a home and farmed land in his hometown of Abbott, Texas, expressed deep concern about the potential for light pollution and "water thieving" that he believes these industrial developments bring. He emphasized that the strength of rural America lies in its open spaces, local businesses, and agricultural heritage, not in large industrial footprints that consume farmland and threaten family farmers' livelihoods.
Nelson, a long-standing environmental advocate and co-founder of Farm Aid, highlighted the critical importance of controlling food and water resources, especially in communities like Abbott. His call to action aligns with recent sentiments expressed by Texas Governor Greg Abbott.
Governor Greg Abbott, during a campaign stop in Bullard, Texas, echoed similar concerns, specifically calling for a ban on AI data center developments in rural Texas neighborhoods. The Governor stated that any data centers considering Texas must be self-sufficient in terms of power and water, advocating for water reuse and a reduction in electricity costs for residents. He also vowed to eliminate tax breaks currently afforded to these facilities, asserting that they must fund their own projects within the state.