Hays Co. judge seeks emergency pause on water-demanding projects like data centers

Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra is seeking an emergency six-month review period for water-intensive projects, specifically citing data centers, within Hays County, Texas. During a Hays County Commissioners Court meeting on Tuesday, Judge Becerra presented a resolution that would establish a 180-day temporary emergency water protection review period and administrative suspensions to limit data center projects in unincorporated areas.

The proposal also includes a formal petition to Governor Greg Abbott to call a special legislative session. The aim of this session would be to address counties' concerns about high-water-use developments and to grant counties expanded authority to regulate them locally. Political science professor Mark P. Jones of Rice University noted that most data centers try to locate outside city boundaries where county regulation is more limited.

Hays County officials have previously opposed data center developments, particularly one proposed by Highlander SC One LLC. that could use 70,000 gallons of water daily, due to the county's severe drought conditions. Judge Becerra emphasized his support for economic development but not at the expense of drinking water for millions. Although a special session is considered unlikely by Jones, data center concerns are expected to be a priority in the upcoming legislative session.

After some debate over the resolution's legality, Hays County commissioners agreed to revisit the proposal for a vote on June 23.