Get to know about Lubbock mayoral candidate Stephen Sanders, his platforms

Stephen Sanders, a mayoral candidate in Lubbock, Texas, outlined his platform in an interview with the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, dedicating a significant portion to his views on data center development. Sanders expressed strong skepticism towards hyperscale data center proposals, referencing a project in northeast Lubbock that was rejected by Planning and Zoning and subsequently withdrawn, though the developer plans to resubmit. Sanders emphasized that any data center approval must be contingent on strict requirements, including mandatory real-time water and energy consumption disclosure, a comprehensive water impact assessment with 20-year projections, and a grid capacity study to determine necessary electrical infrastructure upgrades and their funding. He also advocated for independent financial analysis comparing data center tax revenue to that from residential/commercial zoning, and the inclusion of clawback provisions if projects fail to deliver promised jobs or revenue. He asserted that Lubbock is currently unprepared for hyperscale data centers, citing ongoing efforts to secure the city's water future and stabilize its electrical grid. Sanders criticized the Lubbock Economic Development Alliance's (LEDA) claims of significant tax revenue, arguing that the city's focus should be on projects like the Inland Port and local festivals that do not strain its scarce resources.