Hays County passes industrial high-water resolution targeting data center impacts
Hays County, Texas, commissioners passed a strong industrial high-water resolution in response to residents' concerns about data centers' impact on water resources and the Texas grid. The county is committed to not offering incentives to data centers. Governor Greg Abbott stated that data centers must provide their own power, reuse water, and reduce electricity costs for residential and small business customers.
Hays County Commissioners Court in Texas has approved a significant industrial high-water resolution, reportedly one of the strongest in the state, in response to growing concerns from Central Texas residents regarding the environmental impact of proposed data centers.
During a June 23 meeting, residents urged officials to take a firm stance against the rapid expansion of data centers, citing fears over water demand and the strain on the Texas electricity grid. Precinct 1 Commissioner Debbie Gonzales Ingalsbe affirmed the court's commitment not to offer incentives to data centers, a sentiment echoed by Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra, who emphasized the county's dedication to protecting its water and environment.
The debate over data centers' energy and water consumption comes as nearly 200 proposed data centers and other large energy users have requested to connect to the Texas grid. Andrew Belnap, an assistant professor at the University of Texas at Austin’s McCombs School of Business, highlighted the immense scale of this projected demand, which could be five times the current peak demand on the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) grid.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has also weighed in, stating that data centers should be required to bring their own power, reuse their own water, and contribute to reducing electricity costs for consumers. While acknowledging the valid concerns about rising energy prices, Belnap noted that a revamped regulatory structure and varied approaches to building new capacity offer reasons for optimism in managing these challenges.