AI data centers are the devil

Rural communities in East Texas and across the state are expressing strong opposition to the influx of 'Big Tech' data centers, viewing them as a drain on local resources and offering little community benefit. Many residents feel their concerns regarding these facilities' significant water and electricity demands are being ignored by local leaders who attempt to 'sell' the projects as progress. Texas currently hosts over 400 data centers, primarily in metropolitan areas, but the tech sector is increasingly targeting rural locations. This expansion has led to considerable consternation. In Angelina County, proposed data centers, including one at an old paper mill and another at an offline power plant near Lufkin, have unsettled residents who cite a lack of transparency from local officials. Amarillo residents have protested five new data centers due to existing water shortages. In Athens, a 10-megawatt data center project proposed by Data Factory was 'scuttled' by the city council, largely due to citizen involvement and demands for information. Additionally, residents in Granbury recently filed a lawsuit against their city, alleging a lack of transparency regarding a proposed data center. The author, Chris Edwards, editor of the Tyler County Booster, emphasizes that public outcry against data centers stems from concerns over 'huge tax breaks, potential environmental harm and a scarcity of jobs.' Drawing a parallel to past industrial proposals in his community of Woodville, Edwards argues that data centers represent a 'whole different universe' in terms of impact, particularly on resources. He concludes that despite officials' attempts to frame data centers as a new frontier, the widespread concerns make them 'a great big no' for many communities.