Lubbock Public Meeting Sees Strong Opposition to Data Centers, Calls for Ban or Moratorium
A public meeting in Lubbock saw over 500 residents overwhelmingly reject proposed restrictions on data centers, instead advocating for an outright ban or a moratorium on new facilities within the city. Many speakers expressed strong opposition to large-scale data centers, with some vowing to fight development at various governmental levels. City officials, including Mayor Mark McBrayer, aimed to discuss policy setting in anticipation of future data center proposals.
Over 500 Lubbock residents attended a public meeting with the City Council, primarily advocating for a ban or moratorium on new data centers rather than the proposed restrictions. City Manager Jarrett Atkinson noted nearly all 60 public speakers opposed hyperscale data centers in the city.
Mayor Mark McBrayer emphasized the importance of setting clear policies now, citing nearby data center developments in Abilene, Abernathy, Childress, and Dickens County that suggest future proposals for Lubbock. A past data center proposal in Northeast Lubbock was withdrawn after failing to secure Planning and Zoning Commission support. McBrayer clarified the meeting's purpose was to help residents understand how elected officials are addressing concerns, not to sway opinions.
However, many speakers rejected the mayor's framing, perceiving the Council as attempting to push through data center development. Xan Argo, a speaker, articulated the strong local sentiment, vowing to fight data center expansion at city, county, and state levels if necessary. The meeting, which lasted four hours, highlighted deep community resistance to data center growth in Lubbock.