Fort Worth considers a pause on new data centers
The Fort Worth City Council is considering a 90-day moratorium on new data center developments and forming a data center committee. Dozens of residents are speaking at the meeting, mostly in support of the moratorium, advocating for responsible development and community involvement. The council is also discussing changes to city code related to power grid audits.
The Fort Worth City Council is deliberating on a proposal to implement a 90-day moratorium on new data center developments. This pause is intended to allow the council time to review public feedback and formulate comprehensive regulations for future data center projects. Currently, Fort Worth hosts four data centers with at least four more in various stages of development.
During a lengthy meeting, numerous residents addressed the council, with the majority expressing support for both the moratorium and the establishment of a data center committee. Community leaders, speaking at a pre-meeting press conference, emphasized the need for "responsible development" and demanded a seat at the table for residents in decisions shaping their city. They also seek more community involvement in the proposed data center committee, which the council is set to vote on forming, with at least three members from the community.
The council is also considering a resolution to align parts of the city code with Governor Greg Abbott's recent directive, which encourages the approval of projects that have successfully passed power grid audits. The outcomes of tonight's votes on the moratorium and committee resolutions will be announced to the public.