Fort Worth’s new data center rules aren’t stopping this project
Fort Worth is considering a data center moratorium and has enacted new development requirements, including mandatory state utility approvals. Despite this, Edged Data Centers is proceeding with its "Project Outpost" data center near Benbrook, having filed for a building permit. The project has drawn questions from residents advocating for stronger regulations.
Fort Worth is implementing new data center regulations, which mandate that developers secure approvals from the Public Utility Commission of Texas and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas before receiving city development permits. Concurrently, the Fort Worth City Council has initiated the process to consider a potential moratorium on new data center developments. However, these new rules do not apply to projects that are already vested or have submitted applications.
Dallas-based Edged Data Centers, a subsidiary of sustainable infrastructure company Endeavor, is moving forward with its 196-megawatt "Project Outpost" data center in southwest Fort Worth, near Benbrook. The company recently filed for a commercial new building permit for the 488,628 square-foot facility, having previously registered the $300 million project with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. The project site is described as including a dedicated Oncor substation.
Despite the project's progress, local residents have raised concerns, forming the 2871 Community Coalition to advocate for stronger data center regulations. Krista Erbe, a founding member of the coalition, stated that a recent tour of an Edged facility in Irving with Fort Worth City Council member Michael Crain did not alleviate all of the group's concerns.