Rep. Cole Hefner, Hector Garza discuss data centers, affordability in Texas House District 5 contest
During a Texas House District 5 contest, incumbent Rep. Cole Hefner and challenger Hector Garza discussed their stances on data centers. Garza advocated for a moratorium on data center construction due to concerns about power, noise, and energy, while Hefner supported regulations to protect the state's water system. Both candidates expressed support for groundwater conservation efforts in Northeast Texas.
In the race for Texas House District 5, incumbent Republican State Representative Cole Hefner of Mount Pleasant and Democratic challenger Hector Garza, former chair of the Smith County Democratic Party, presented differing views on data center development in Texas.
Garza proposed a moratorium on data center construction, asserting that he sees no benefits for Texans that outweigh concerns like power consumption, noise, and potential strain on the energy grid. He also expressed strong support for the creation of groundwater conservation districts in Northeast Texas to protect the region's water resources, specifically mentioning data centers as a reason for this.
Hefner, on the other hand, indicated he would support regulations requiring data centers to avoid overburdening the state's water system. While acknowledging the need to protect private property and water supplies, he also emphasized the importance of housing data domestically. Hefner agreed with the push from various Northeast Texas counties to establish a groundwater conservation district to manage underground wells and safeguard aquifer levels, an issue that has become a significant concern for East Texans amidst discussions of water sales.
The election takes place against a backdrop of public concern over water sales and the impact of data center growth in the region.