Commissioners address data center concerns
Parker County officials held a special meeting to discuss data center concerns, unanimously expressing a desire to prohibit them but noting limited county authority. They passed a resolution calling for state-level regulation and safeguards, citing significant concerns about water and electricity consumption. This comes as Governor Abbott also recommends sweeping data center regulations for Texas.
Parker County Commissioners Court convened a special, standing-room-only meeting to address growing concerns about data center development within the county. The meeting aimed to educate the public, pass a resolution seeking state assistance for regulation, and gather public comment. County officials, including County Attorney John Forrest, unanimously voiced their desire to prohibit data centers, acknowledging the county's limited statutory authority to do so without state provisions. Forrest cited State Representative Helen Kerwin, noting that current laws lag behind technology in regulating data centers.
Officials are particularly worried about the projected influx of up to 1,000 data centers across Texas and have consulted other counties for strategies. Hood County is reportedly litigating against data centers after denying plats, while Hill County faced a $100 million lawsuit for enacting a moratorium, which it subsequently dropped. Residents and officials expressed alarm over data centers' high water and electricity demands, with the Upper Trinity Groundwater Conservation District (UTGCD) emphasizing limited groundwater resources and its authority to scrutinize large-scale well permits.
Mike Hoke, Director of Public Engagement at the Public Utility Commission (PUC) of Texas, explained that while businesses can connect to the state grid, Texas Senate Bill 6 provides the PUC authority over large power users, mandating curtailment technology and detailed forecasting. State Representative Mike Olcott, through his district director Amanda Garner, pledged efforts to delay data center development until proper legislation can be drafted to protect citizens' resources and property values.
Following these discussions, the Parker County Commissioners Court unanimously passed a resolution advocating for enhanced state regulation of data centers in Texas, including safeguards against environmental impact, noise, and visual pollution, and opposing tax abatements. The Texas Tribune later reported that Governor Abbott also recommends sweeping state-level data center regulations, including the elimination of sales tax exemptions, mirroring several points in Parker County's resolution.