Rowan Digital Infrastructure seeks approval for 6th and final data center in Temple
Rowan Digital Infrastructure is seeking approval from the City of Temple, Texas, for its sixth and final data center, known as the Lasso building, as part of a larger campus development. The project's relocation was necessitated by the city's need for landfill expansion, leading to new zoning and development code amendments currently under review. This process occurs amid a statewide moratorium on data center approvals by Governor Greg Abbott, which Rowan states it is in compliance with regarding sustainability and resource management.
Rowan Digital Infrastructure is seeking final approval from the City of Temple, Texas, for the Lasso building, which will be the sixth and last data center on its local campus. According to CEO Charley Daitch, four of the six planned buildings are already under construction, and five have previously received city approval. The Lasso building, initially planned as the third structure in Project Temple, required relocation after the City of Temple approached Rowan about expanding its landfill onto land Rowan had acquired, necessitating a new public review process.
The approval process for the Lasso building, including its zoning and proposed amendments to the city's development code, is scheduled for consideration by the Planning and Zoning Commission on August 17th, followed by the City Council in September. This local development proceeds amidst a statewide moratorium on data center approvals announced by Texas Governor Greg Abbott, which requires developers to meet specific standards. Rowan CEO Charley Daitch stated the company has submitted a letter to the governor and is now listed as being in compliance with these standards, emphasizing Rowan's commitment to sustainability and transparent water and power usage.
The City of Temple issued a statement acknowledging community concerns regarding data center development but highlighted its ability to control project development, resource use, and mitigation of negative impacts through annexation, zoning, and binding contracts. The city also clarified that while it manages local impacts, broader issues like electric consumption are regulated by state entities such as ERCOT and the Public Utility Commission of Texas. Residents are directed to the City of Temple’s Data Center Information Hub for more information.