Henderson County community celebrates withdrawal of data center proposal
Residents in Trinidad, Henderson County, Texas, are celebrating after Diode Ventures withdrew its controversial data center proposal near Cedar Creek Lake Reservoir. Community members view this as a victory but emphasize the need for broader state-level regulations, including eliminating tax exemptions for data centers in Texas.
Residents in Trinidad, Henderson County, Texas, are celebrating the withdrawal of a proposed data center project by Diode Ventures near the Cedar Creek Lake Reservoir. The company's decision to back out came after significant community opposition.
Stacy Farmer, a local resident, expressed excitement and gratitude for the community's collective effort in what she described as a "battle that we have won." However, Farmer cautioned that the "war is not over," as the community aims to protect Cedar Creek Lake and advocate for more comprehensive data center regulations across Texas. She highlighted concerns about other potential data center developments and the importance of citizen input.
Farmer plans to attend a public hearing in Austin on the 27th, where she will address the state's finance committee. Her primary message will advocate against granting tax exemptions to data centers, arguing that such incentives have provided data centers a "free ride" in Texas and attracted them to the state. She emphasized the need for the Texas legislature to implement stronger protections for communities throughout Texas, stating, "I'm pro technology, but not at the expense of we the people."
KLTV 7's April spoke live from Trinidad, detailing the community's immediate reaction and future plans to push for legislative changes.