Temple residents rally against proposed data centers
Temple residents are actively opposing proposed data center developments, citing environmental concerns over water usage and air quality. The group "Temple Stands Together" is collecting signatures for a charter amendment that would allow easier recall of city leaders involved in data center approvals. This effort stems from the city council's refusal to conduct an impact study on the proposed projects.
Temple residents, organized under the group "Temple Stands Together," held a petition drive and protest at the Bell County Courthouse to oppose proposed data center developments in the city. The group aims to gather approximately 3,000 verified signatures by late July to place a charter amendment on the November ballot. This amendment would lower the threshold required to recall city leaders, an action prompted by what residents perceive as the city council's rushed approval of data centers without an impact study.
Joe Royer, president of Temple Stands Together, stated that the city council's refusal to conduct an environmental impact study fueled the community's push for accountability. Concerns among protesters center on the long-term effects of data centers on water usage, air quality, and local resources. Volunteer Carly Bird and protester Maddie Johnson emphasized the critical need to protect natural resources like water.
House District 55 candidate Amelia Rabroker also spoke at the event, advocating for greater transparency before large-scale projects like data centers are approved. She highlighted the community's call for more information before "billion-dollar corporations" extract resources, stressing that such decisions cannot be undone. The ongoing petition drive reflects a broad, united community effort to address these concerns and ensure greater oversight on future developments.