Texas county rejects a moratorium on data center development amid AI boom

The Hood County Board of Commissioners in Texas voted 3-2 against a proposed temporary moratorium on new data center development, despite concerns from residents about the industry's impact on the region's water supply and energy demands. State Senator Paul Bettencourt warned the county that it lacks the legal authority to impose such a moratorium, and the disclosure of his letter sparked outrage among some commissioners. The failed moratorium would have paused new data center projects for six months to study their effects.