Small town Texans voice concerns over proposed 665-acre data center
Taylor, Texas residents are actively opposing a proposed 665-acre data center and natural-gas power project, citing concerns over water usage and inadequate zoning regulations. A local coalition has organized protests, submitted a petition with 1,400 signatures, and filed a writ mandamus in a Texas appeals court to compel the city to adopt new zoning rules. The City of Taylor City Council is scheduled to vote on the annexation of land for the project at an upcoming meeting.
Residents of Taylor, Texas, are vocally opposing a large-scale 665-acre data center and natural-gas power project proposed for their community, citing significant concerns about public water usage, environmental impact, and the city's current development regulations. The Halt Taylor Data Center Coalition held a press conference on August 25 to protest the development, which is being pursued by Big Watt Digital LLC and PH Digital Data Center Development LLC (also referred to as PowerHouse Data Centers).
The coalition has gathered a 1,400-signature petition demanding that the City of Taylor adopt new regulations, specifically a "Digital Infrastructure Zoning District," before proceeding with the project's annexation. They argue that Taylor's existing rules are insufficient for a project of this magnitude, which is projected to require 1,050 to 1,400 megawatts of capacity. Additionally, residents have filed a writ mandamus in a Texas appeals court, seeking to direct the city council to put their proposed ordinance on the ballot.
This local push for tighter controls comes just days before the City of Taylor City Council is slated to meet and consider the annexation of land for the data center in September. The controversy in Taylor mirrors a broader discussion in the region, as City of Austin council members have also announced intentions to ban large-scale data centers within their city limits. The proposed Taylor project has met all requirements from Texas Governor Greg Abbott's data center audit, which involved the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT).