How data centers can be built more sustainably and become better neighbors
Residents in Bastrop County, Texas, are vocally opposing a proposed data center development, citing concerns over water and energy resources, and transparency issues. While the developer has dropped requests for tax breaks, community opposition remains strong as the broader Austin area grapples with rapid data center growth and its impact. Experts and industry figures are advocating for more sustainable building practices and greater transparency regarding resource consumption.
Residents in Bastrop County, Texas, are actively opposing a proposed data center development, highlighting significant community concerns about the project's impact on water and energy resources. Despite the developer's claim of building a power plant and not requesting excessive water, over 100 people gathered at an August 20 town hall in Rockne to voice their opposition. Community members, including business owner Natalie Aboudaoud and resident Jeanette Shelton, expressed frustration over a billboard that misleadingly suggested data center tax revenue funds firefighter salaries, when most local firefighters are volunteers.
The opposition is part of a growing movement across the Austin area, with groups like "Texans United Against Data Centers" forming. Following community backlash, the developers withdrew requests for tax breaks, a move seen by residents as a testament to their strong opposition. Residents emphasize they are not against development but demand transparency and sustainable practices, feeling their concerns are not being adequately addressed.
Water and electricity consumption are central issues. Margaret Cook of the Houston Advanced Research Center suggested data centers in water-scarce Texas could reduce water use with closed-loop systems and air chillers. She advocates for state regulations that would mandate transparency on water use, require non-potable water, and ensure community water reserves are prioritized. Google's global head of infrastructure strategy and sustainability, Ben Townsend, echoed calls for transparency, noting Google publicly disclosed its Texas water usage (93.3 million gallons in 2022, 135.8 million in 2023) and commits to air-cooled data centers in the state. He also urged communities to negotiate infrastructure funding from developers.
Electricity strain is another major concern, with Gov. Greg Abbott encouraging data centers to "bring their own power." Joshua Rhodes, an energy researcher at the University of Texas at Austin, explained the complexities of achieving the required reliability for data centers, often necessitating multiple power plants. He also highlighted supply chain issues for power generation technologies, causing backlogs until the 2030s for components like gas turbines. Michael Webber, a UT Austin engineering professor, called the collective 400 gigawatts of power requested by Texas data centers "impossible," but believes developers will invest heavily in grid upgrades, potentially leading to more pollution. Dan Stanzione, director of the Texas Advanced Computing Center (TACC), demonstrated sustainable cooling methods (closed-loop, mineral oil) and renewable energy credits, expressing hope for future state regulations to curb irresponsible data center practices.