Temple City Council Approves Data Center Measures Amid Opposition
The Temple City Council approved new data center regulations and measures for a proposed development by Rowan Digital Infrastructure. The meeting revealed a significant divide between residents opposing the data centers and city officials who defended the deals as beneficial for the city's tax base.
The Temple City Council held a lengthy and contentious meeting where they approved new data center regulations and measures related to a proposed development by Rowan Digital Infrastructure. The 4½-hour session highlighted a significant rift between Temple residents, who questioned city safeguards, and city officials, who defended the deals as an opportunity to strengthen the Temple tax base.
The meeting room and overflow areas were packed with residents primarily there to discuss data centers. One resident, Eve Raine, metaphorically presented five "tools" the council could use to stop the "giant data centers," drawing an analogy to David and Goliath.