Black churches weigh the cost of AI data centers
The National Black Church Initiative (NBCI) is advocating for legally enforceable Community Benefit Agreements (CBAs) in data center developments to address environmental impacts, resource consumption, and equitable community investment. Houston-area Black pastors express conditional support, emphasizing that communities should not bear burdens without sharing in economic benefits, while Missouri City has adopted new zoning requirements for data centers.
The National Black Church Initiative (NBCI), representing 150,000 African American and Latino faith communities, has entered the debate surrounding artificial intelligence data centers, endorsing development contingent on legally enforceable Community Benefit Agreements (CBAs). These agreements, according to NBCI president Rev. Anthony Evans, are crucial for balancing economic opportunities with environmental protection, resource management, local employment, and community investment.
Local perspectives from Houston-area Black pastors reflect this conditional support. Dr. Timothy Sloan of The Luke Church stated his opposition to Black communities bearing the economic development burden without equitable benefits. Dr. Keith Somerville, pastor of The Village UMC in DeSoto, Texas, raised concerns about rising electricity costs for residents. Darnell Fennell of First Christian Church Texas City emphasized the need for an equitable distribution of data centers, a sentiment echoed by a 2026 University of Houston survey showing significant local opposition to data centers near homes, primarily due to energy demand.
While some, like Houston native James Clark, expressed skepticism about the church's ability to halt development, they agreed that regulation is vital. This broader debate has led to concrete actions, such as Missouri City adopting new zoning requirements that mandate special permits, public hearings, and disclosures on energy and water usage for data center projects. The discussion among Black churches and communities in Texas highlights a spectrum of views, underscoring the demand for a voice in development decisions and a fair share of the benefits as AI infrastructure expands.