AI Data Center Could Use as Much Power as the Entire City of Denton
Denton city leaders are concerned about the electricity and water demands of a new AI data center, which could consume as much power as the entire city. In response, the city council is considering tighter regulations for data centers and a temporary moratorium on new developments.
Residents like Ralph Hood in Denton, Texas, are experiencing increased traffic due to a new data center on Jim Crystal Road, which is currently ramping up operations. Originally a crypto mining center, the facility is being converted to an AI data center and, at full capacity, is projected to consume as much electricity as the entire City of Denton.
Mayor Chris Watts expressed concerns about the anticipated impacts of future data center developments, citing potential strain on city resources, neighborhoods, and the environment. He noted the unpredictability of these impacts. In a recent work session, the Denton City Council requested recommendations from city staff to implement tighter regulations for data center developments. These regulations would address zoning changes, and special rules concerning water usage, noise levels, and proximity to residential neighborhoods.
Additionally, the City Council is calling for a temporary pause in new data center developments while a study assesses their overall benefits and potential negative consequences. Hood, who worries about potential increases in utility rates or power loss, lamented that such preemptive measures were not taken before the current facility was built near his home.