“A deal with the devil”: Religion motivates data center opponents in Texas
Data center developments in Texas, particularly in Hood County and Granbury, are facing significant religious-based opposition. Opponents, including local residents and political figures, are raising concerns about environmental impact, excessive water and power consumption, and spiritual implications. This movement sees data centers as an affront to sacred values and potentially a sign of apocalyptic warnings.
In Hood County, Texas, data center developments are encountering strong opposition, often fueled by religious beliefs. Matt Long, a member of the county's development commission, spoke before the Granbury City Council, likening proposed data centers to a "spiritual abomination" and questioning negotiations with tech giants like Google, Meta, and Amazon.
The opposition extends beyond Granbury, with a bipartisan coalition across Texas expressing concerns over environmental impact, high water, and power consumption by these facilities. Clayton Tucker, a Catholic Democrat running for Texas agriculture commissioner, also uses religious analogies to highlight potential ecological harm.
While some, like Texas Railroad Commissioner Wayne Christian, support data centers as modern innovations, opponents cite biblical passages, fearing technology's misuse and potential for surveillance. Organizations like Texas Impact and Dayenu also frame their opposition through a lens of environmental stewardship and social justice, advocating for responsible development and care for creation.