Proposed Cedar Creek data center in East Texas withdrawn amid opposition
Diode Ventures has withdrawn plans for a proposed data center near Cedar Creek Lake in Henderson County, Texas, following significant opposition from local residents and state leaders. This decision aligns with a recent poll indicating widespread Texan disapproval of data center projects in their communities. In response, Governor Abbott is advocating for stricter regulations and the elimination of state tax incentives for data centers.
Diode Ventures has withdrawn its plans for a proposed data center near Cedar Creek Lake in Henderson County, East Texas. The decision came after the company faced considerable pushback from both local residents and state leaders regarding the project.
This development coincides with a new poll from the University of Texas Texas Politics Project, which found significant statewide opposition to data center construction. According to the poll, 56% of Texans are against building a data center in their communities, while only 29% support the idea.
The findings follow recent hearings held by Texas lawmakers in Austin, where they examined the potential impacts of data centers on the state's power grid, water supplies, and rural communities. In light of these concerns, Governor Abbott has called for more stringent requirements for data center operators, including making companies responsible for their own infrastructure costs and eliminating certain state tax incentives.