Taylor advances major data center project amid resident pushback
The City of Taylor, Texas, is advancing a 665-acre data center project known as "Project Mustang" despite significant resident opposition and state-level scrutiny. The city is also updating its zoning code to regulate large-scale digital infrastructure projects, with a vote expected in September. A resident-led petition for a temporary moratorium on data centers was rejected by the City Council.
The City of Taylor, Texas, is proceeding with the significant "Project Mustang" data center development, a 665-acre campus previously undisclosed, amid strong local opposition and new directives from Texas Governor Greg Abbott. Residents, led by figures like Carrie D'Anna, have actively protested and submitted a petition with over 1,400 signatures to temporarily halt data center developments. However, the Taylor City Council declined to place this petition on the November ballot, citing Texas state law.
The project, identified with developers Big Watt Digital LLC and PowerHouse Data Centers, is slated for discussion and potential action by Taylor's Planning and Zoning Commission on August 18, with a public hearing and subsequent action by the City Council scheduled for September 10. City officials are negotiating an agreement with the developer to annex the property, arguing this is the only way to impose regulations on the project, which would otherwise proceed in the county without zoning authority. The agreement could also bring grants to the city and school district.
Concurrently, Governor Abbott has ordered the Public Utility Commission of Texas and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas to audit data center developers seeking grid connections, requiring disclosure of tax breaks, power, and water use. While this audit does not halt local project reviews, Taylor is also working on "Phase 1B" of its development code update, aiming to introduce amendments that regulate large-scale digital infrastructure concerning noise, light, air pollution, water use, and setbacks. These new regulations, expected to be voted on by the City Council in September, may not be in place before Project Mustang's approval process is complete, fueling resident frustration.