Fort Worth makes major moves towards data center moratorium, regulations
Fort Worth City Council approved measures to initiate a moratorium on new data center developments and establish a Data Center Infrastructure Commission to evaluate future development. This action follows months of advocacy from local groups and a directive from Governor Greg Abbott regarding state-level audits of data center projects. The proposed moratorium could begin in February and last for 90 days, with an option to extend.
The Fort Worth City Council took significant steps to regulate data center growth and potentially implement a moratorium during its August 11 meeting. Following hours of public comment, council members approved measures to initiate a moratorium process, aiming for it to begin in February and run for 90 days, with a possible extension. The city will also establish an 11-member Data Center Infrastructure Commission, led by Dr. Mike Slattery of Texas Christian University, to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of data center development and report to the council by November.
Additionally, the council approved a resolution mandating that data center developers obtain necessary state approvals before the city will issue any development permits, a directive influenced by Governor Greg Abbott's call for a statewide audit of data center projects. These actions come after months of advocacy from local groups, including the 2871 Community Coalition, and a previous setback in July when the Fort Worth Zoning Commission rejected earlier proposed zoning regulations. Residents expressed mixed feelings, some welcoming the progress while others, like activist Lydia Faith and Krista Erbe of the 2871 Community Coalition, called for more community input on the commission.
The city's pivot towards a moratorium and new regulations follows growing resident protests and a realization that comprehensive rules would take more time to develop. Four data centers are currently operational in Fort Worth, with one under construction and six more proposed within the city limits or its extraterritorial jurisdiction.