Killeen City Council to vote on proposed data center amid resident concerns

The city of Killeen, Texas, is poised to consider a controversial "computing and energy research annex," which has been identified by residents as a data center, with a City Council vote scheduled for June 2. The project, presented by a group named OnMine, faces significant skepticism from residents and local politicians due to concerns about high water and energy consumption, potential noise pollution, and a perceived lack of transparency regarding its details. During a recent Planning and Zoning Commission meeting, OnMine attempted to mitigate criticisms by describing the facility as a smaller-scale, non-typical data center utilizing a closed-loop water system and no municipal water. However, residents like Gary Hammonds and James Sills voiced worries about decibel levels disrupting nearby worship sites and the type of sound emitted. City council candidates have also been hesitant to openly support the project. The article highlights a broader sentiment, noting that residents in nearby Temple are attempting to recall their entire council over data center-related issues, suggesting the Killeen project could become a similarly contentious "hot-button issue." The author emphasizes the need for more information and trust in OnMine, particularly given the company's social media posts referencing Bitcoin.