City of Clarendon considers emergency pause on data center development, update on Greenbelt water system
The Clarendon City Council in Texas is scheduled to discuss a possible emergency ordinance for a temporary moratorium on data center and cryptocurrency mining operations development. This discussion comes as the Greenbelt Municipal and Industrial Water Authority, which supplies Clarendon, faces historically low water levels, leading to Stage 4 Emergency Water Shortage Conditions. The proposed moratorium reflects a growing trend in Texas communities concerned about the impact of large-scale data facilities.
The Clarendon City Council is set to hold a regular meeting on Thursday to consider a possible emergency ordinance that would establish a temporary moratorium on the development of certain data centers, cryptocurrency mining operations, and related infrastructure within the city's jurisdiction. This action follows reports from the Greenbelt Municipal and Industrial Water Authority (MIWA), which indicates that Greenbelt Lake, a major water supplier for Clarendon and other communities, has reached an all-time low, leading to Stage 4 Emergency Water Shortage Conditions in April 2025.
The proposed moratorium reflects a broader trend across Texas, where cities and counties like Amarillo and Childress have also discussed similar measures. Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller has publicly supported a "pause" on hyperscale data center growth, citing concerns over land, water, and power consumption. The Clarendon council's discussion will include public comments and reports from various departments before addressing the potential development halt.