Glen Rose residents pack meeting over data centers, future of Dinosaur Valley
Residents of Glen Rose, Texas, and surrounding Somervell and Hood counties gathered to discuss significant concerns about proposed data center developments, particularly a 450-acre project by Black Mountain near Dinosaur Valley State Park. Key issues include water usage, electricity demands, and potential environmental impacts on the Paluxy River Basin and state parks. Somervell County commissioners have approved a resolution opposing further data center development until state lawmakers address these concerns.
Residents of Glen Rose, Texas, along with environmental experts and elected officials, convened at the Expo Center to address growing concerns over proposed data center developments near Dinosaur Valley State Park and their potential impact on the Paluxy River Basin.
The focal point of the discussion was a proposed 450-acre data center, spearheaded by Fort Worth-based developer Black Mountain, which borders the northern part of Dinosaur Valley State Park and carries an estimated cost upwards of $10 billion. Baylor University environmental researcher Thad Scott highlighted the scientific and personal significance of the Paluxy River and Dinosaur Valley to Texans, urging state monitoring and preventative protections against even small-scale development impacts. Kathy Turner Jones, general manager of the Middle Trinity Groundwater Conservation District, emphasized the critical importance of groundwater resources and the district's role in balancing economic growth with long-term resource management amid increased interest in large industrial projects like data centers.
State Rep. Helen Kerwin, present at the meeting, announced plans to pursue state-level proposals aimed at ensuring responsible growth, emphasizing the finite nature of Texas's water supply compared to its power generation capacity. She also revealed that she has asked Governor Greg Abbott to consider additional reviews of large-scale data center impacts and is developing legislation for increased transparency and local input, as well as protections for state parks. The meeting comes after Somervell County commissioners approved a resolution opposing further data center development until water, energy, and regulatory oversight concerns are addressed by lawmakers. Weeks prior, Governor Abbott instructed the Public Utility Commission and ERCOT to mandate that large developers cover associated energy costs.