Process starts for moratorium on new data centers in Lubbock ... what it would do, who supports it, what critics say
Organizers in Lubbock, Texas, led by Stephen Sanders, are seeking signatures by August 3 for a petition to enact an 18-month moratorium on new data center permits, zoning changes, and infrastructure agreements within the city. If successful, the City Council must either adopt the resolution or put it to a public vote. Mayor Mark McBrayer and LEDA CEO John Osborne expressed concerns that the moratorium could push data center development to Lubbock County, where it would be outside city oversight and regulation.
Stephen Sanders, a multiple-time mayoral candidate, has initiated a petition drive in Lubbock, Texas, aiming to place an 18-month moratorium on new data center developments before city voters. The petition seeks to halt permits, zoning changes, and infrastructure agreements for data centers or server farms within the city limits.
The City Secretary’s office approved the initiating statement, setting an August 3 deadline for organizers to collect 2,410 registered voter signatures. If the signature goal is met, the Lubbock City Council would either need to accept the resolution or allow citizens to vote on it in a November or May election. The proposed resolution also mandates a comprehensive report on data center noise, electricity, and water use, and calls for a public hearing to discuss findings and gather community input on high-water and high-energy-use data centers.
Lubbock Mayor Mark McBrayer and John Osborne, CEO of the Lubbock Economic Development Alliance (LEDA), have voiced opposition to the blanket moratorium. They argue that it might have the unintended consequence of pushing data center developers to build in Lubbock County, outside the city's regulatory control, where they could avoid city property taxes and regulations on setbacks and noise. Osborne specifically mentioned concerns about county-located data centers freely pumping water from the underground aquifer without city permission. Sanders, however, maintains that data centers, particularly hyperscale facilities, strain the local power grid and consume significant water, adversely impacting communities.
The proposed moratorium could be lifted early if the city completes a water and power sustainability study and approves permanent regulations to protect supplies. Additionally, the city could grant waivers for data centers with minimal infrastructure impact. While the resolution lacks specific definitions for terms like "data center" or "high-water-use," Adam Hernandez, who organized a previous petition, believes the city attorney could refine the legal language if needed.