The 8 data centers that could transform one Texas county
Hood County, Texas, is experiencing a data center boom with eight proposed projects, leading to significant resident opposition. Efforts by county officials to enact a moratorium failed, but new development rules were adopted, resulting in developers suing the county. The situation highlights the limited power of local governments in unincorporated areas regarding large-scale development.
Hood County, a rural community southwest of Fort Worth, Texas, is at the center of a data center development surge, with eight massive projects proposed across over 7,600 acres. These developments are projected to be built in unincorporated areas, a significant shift from existing data center clusters that are typically found within city limits.
Residents have expressed alarm over the potential impacts, including the flattening of scenic views, massive energy and water demands, and increased noise. They have actively protested, attended county meetings, and pressured officials to halt the projects. Hood County commissioners attempted twice to approve a moratorium on new data center developments, but both efforts were rejected after a state lawmaker raised concerns about the county's legal authority.
Following the failed moratorium attempts, the county tightened its development rules, which led to the revocation of one concept plan and the tabling of others. In response, data center developers have filed two lawsuits against the county. Alejandra Martinez, an environmental reporter for The Texas Tribune, has been following this case, highlighting it as a test of whether local governments can protect their communities amidst the AI-driven data center expansion, or if state laws leave them powerless.