Cherokee County Democrats to host AI data center discussion

The Cherokee County Texas Democratic Club is set to host a public discussion in Jacksonville, Texas, on Thursday, August 20, focusing on the environmental impact of artificial intelligence data centers. The event aims to address the rapid expansion of data centers in Texas, which currently ranks second nationwide in this industrial growth.

Guest speaker Rita Beving, a North Texas environmental organizer with Public Citizen, will lead the discussion. Beving, who also serves as a technical advisor on the Dallas Environmental Commission, will draw on her three decades of experience in environmental and energy policy advocacy across Texas. The discussion will explore how this industrial growth has led to a surge in regional power and water demand, raising concerns about potential strains on local air quality, the agricultural economy, and the overall quality of life in East Texas communities. The importance of careful public scrutiny during the facility permitting process will also be emphasized. The meeting is scheduled from 6 to 7:15 p.m. at Woodmen Life, located at 1800 College Ave. in Jacksonville.