Fighting for the future: Residents question potential data center plans
Atascosa County, Texas residents are actively opposing a potential data center near Jourdanton, citing concerns over water and electricity resources, especially during a drought. Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller is calling on Governor Greg Abbott to convene a special session to implement statewide restrictions on data center expansion. Local officials confirm no contracts or agreements have been made for a data center in the county.
Residents of Atascosa County, Texas, gathered at the Atascosa County Justice Center to voice strong opposition and demand transparency from county officials regarding a potential data center development near Jourdanton. Concerns centered primarily on the region's limited water supply, exacerbated by an ongoing drought, as well as the potential strain on electricity and agricultural land.
County Judge Weldon Cude confirmed that, as of now, no contracts or agreements for a data center project have been finalized within the county. However, residents remain wary, citing similar struggles across Texas regarding data center expansion.
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller echoed these concerns, emphasizing the state's lack of surplus water and the encroachment of data centers on valuable farmland. Commissioner Miller called upon Governor Greg Abbott to convene a special legislative session to establish regulatory 'guardrails' and control the proliferation of data centers across Texas.