Red Oak nonprofit finances legal challenge to data centers with car shows
A Red Oak-based nonprofit, Say NO MORE Data Centers (re-branding as Save Our Red Oak), is fundraising through car shows to finance legal representation against data center proliferation in Ellis County, Texas. Residents are concerned about water and electricity consumption, noise, pollution, and impacts on property values. The group has retained a lawyer and plans to take legal action soon, while local government has approved projects despite community opposition.
A Red Oak, Texas-based nonprofit, Say NO MORE Data Centers, which plans to re-brand as Save Our Red Oak, is actively campaigning against the expansion of data centers in Red Oak and the broader Ellis County area. The group is financing its legal representation through fundraising events, including car shows, to challenge the proliferation of these facilities.
Local residents, organized by the nonprofit, voice concerns that data centers will strain water and electricity resources, contribute to air and noise pollution, decrease property values, and disrupt natural scenery. Despite these objections, Ellis County has 14 known data center projects, with several from companies like Databank, Google, and Compass Datacenters located within Red Oak's city limits or extraterritorial jurisdiction. Many of these companies have secured tax abatement agreements from local governments as an incentive for job creation.
While some data center companies have engaged in community outreach, such as Google's small business loans and waterway cleanups, and Compass Datacenters' $15 million gift for an animal shelter, local government approvals for data center construction and tax abatements have routinely faced public opposition. To date, no such proposals have been rejected by local elected officials. However, following pushback organized by Say NO MORE Data Centers, Compass Datacenters notably withdrew a tax abatement request in June.
The nonprofit reports it has successfully retained a lawyer and is preparing to take legal action, although further details were not disclosed. Press representative Jazmin Villegas emphasized the need for transparency and community input, stating, "We wouldn’t even say we’re totally against data centers; we just know that they do not belong here, right next to established residences and farms." The group encourages residents to join their Facebook page, attend events, and participate in city council meetings to advocate for change.