City of Waco holds meeting to discuss environmental impacts of data centers

The City of Waco recently held a meeting of its Sustainable Resource Practices Advisory Board, where local residents voiced concerns regarding the influx of data centers into McLennan County. Amy Gage, a Lacy Lakeview resident, expressed worries about the electric grid and environmental impacts, stating she hopes McLennan County doesn't become a 'hub' for data centers. Another resident, Sean Terrell from Lacey Lakeviews, highlighted a specific concern about a memorandum of understanding (MOA) between Lacy Lakeview and data center company InfraKey. Terrell noted that the MOA reportedly includes plans for an on-site gas-fired power plant capable of powering the city of Seattle, situated on a 520-acre lot surrounded by homes. He also questioned the ability of Lacy Lakeview, a smaller city, to regulate a business of such magnitude. Becca Stallings, a board member for the City of Waco Sustainable Resource Practices Advisory Board, advised residents to communicate with the city about the necessity for more comprehensive environmental assessments that developers and investors could be asked to provide. Residents like Gage emphasized the importance of leaders conducting thorough research into the long-term impacts of these developments.