Candidates discuss data center concerns during debate in Wichita Falls
Candidates for various offices in Wichita Falls, Texas, debated concerns regarding data center development, specifically the Skybox Data Center. Residents and candidates raised issues about infrastructure, water usage, environmental impact, and transparency, while others highlighted potential economic benefits like property tax reduction.
A debate in Wichita Falls, Texas, featured local candidates, including State Representative James Frank, his opponent Leilani Barnett, City Councilor Austin Cobb, and mayoral candidate Scott Poenitzsch, discussing the impact of data centers on the community. Residents expressed concerns about insufficient infrastructure to support growth and the environmental effects of data center water usage, including potential chemical contamination.
Moderator Julie Waters questioned candidates on local resource impact, transparency of data center operations, and campaign contributions. State Representative James Frank (69th District) stated he supports the Skybox Data Center coming to Wichita Falls because it is located in a business park, not residential areas. He emphasized the potential economic benefit, suggesting data centers could reduce property taxes by 20-40%. However, his opponent, Leilani Barnett, criticized Frank for not adequately protecting constituents.
City Councilor Austin Cobb defended Skybox, stating the company has been transparent about its plans, water usage (estimated at 20,000 gallons initially, not a top-ten user), and location within a business park. Mayor Tim Short, absent from the debate, publicly supported Skybox, citing new opportunities for the city. In contrast, mayoral candidate Scott Poenitzsch opposed hyperscale data centers, favoring midstream and smaller facilities. He questioned the long-term effectiveness of 'closed-loop' water systems used by hyperscale facilities, raising concerns about environmental procedures for water discharge. Voters were encouraged to research the issue before the general election.