Willie Nelson speaks out against data centers in rural Texas, citing water and light pollution concerns
Country music icon Willie Nelson is urging Americans to fight against data centers in rural Texas, citing concerns about light pollution and water usage in his hometown of Abbott. This comes as Texas Governor Greg Abbott has also called for a ban on AI data center developments in rural areas and the elimination of their tax breaks. The Governor stated that any new data centers must provide their own power and water reuse solutions.
Country music legend Willie Nelson has publicly voiced strong opposition to the expansion of data centers in rural Texas, specifically citing concerns about light pollution and excessive water consumption in his hometown of Abbott. Nelson, 93, shared a social media plea on Tuesday, urging his followers to "fight against data centers invading our land," emphasizing that rural America's strength comes from its people and land, not "big industrial footprints." He co-founded Farm Aid, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting family farms, and expressed worries that data centers "steal farmland" and "destroy the environment."
Coinciding with Nelson's statement, Texas Governor Greg Abbott called for a ban on AI data center developments in rural parts of the state during a campaign stop in Bullard. Governor Abbott also stated that any new AI data centers seeking to establish themselves in Texas must bring their own funding, power infrastructure, and implement water reuse strategies. Furthermore, he advocated for eliminating existing tax breaks for these facilities to ensure they are fully responsible for their project costs and to help reduce electricity costs for state residents.