East Texans protest data centers at Smith County Courthouse
East Texas residents protested at the Smith County Courthouse, urging Texas legislators to impose more regulations on data centers. Organizers cited concerns over unregulated development's impact on water resources for farming and daily life, as well as the disparity in electricity restrictions between residents and data centers. Protesters are seeking a special legislative session to address these issues.
East Texas residents gathered outside the Smith County Courthouse to protest the unregulated construction of data centers across the state, demanding increased oversight from lawmakers. Protest organizer Eva Cardona emphasized the need for greater transparency and expressed concerns about the potential impact of data center operations on rural land, particularly regarding farmland, irrigation, and water availability for ranchers and everyday citizens. She highlighted fears of water becoming toxic due to unchecked development.
Participants in downtown Tyler signed a petition advocating for Texas legislators to convene a special session to implement more stringent "guardrails" on these data hubs. Aubrey Sloan, another protester, urged companies to slow down their rapid expansion, arguing that East Texans should be prioritized. Sloan pointed out that residents face restrictions on water and electrical usage, while data centers operate without similar limitations. Cardona encouraged East Texans to contact their local and state representatives, including the governor, mayor, city council members, and legislators, to advocate for action before it's too late. The protest reflects growing community concern over resource strain and regulatory gaps related to the burgeoning data center industry in the region.