Wimberley resident challenges construction of Texas data centers
A Wimberley resident is actively challenging the construction of hyper-scale data centers across Texas, organizing communities and advocating for legislative changes. Her concerns focus on the immense water and electricity demands of these facilities, particularly given Texas's drought conditions and grid vulnerabilities. She has filed petitions with state agencies to mandate water usage assessments before project approvals.
Wimberley resident Maggie Elizabeth Hill has launched a grassroots initiative, "Don't Drain Texas," to oppose the rapid development of hyper-scale data centers across Texas. Hill highlights that these new, larger data centers, often exceeding 800 acres and primarily used for AI training and surveillance, pose significant threats to local communities. She argues that Texas is being targeted for its cheap land, despite ongoing drought conditions and a fragile power grid.
Hill emphasizes the substantial resource consumption, noting that each data center can use 100-500 megawatts of electricity and three to five million gallons of water daily, straining already scarce groundwater resources and risking further grid failures. Inspired by local opposition, including a large protest in nearby San Marcos, Hill developed a website to provide tools for residents to contact their state representatives and track data center developments.
She has formally submitted two petitions to the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) and the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT), advocating for mandatory water usage assessments before data center approvals. The PUCT petition has been accepted for public comment. Hill also reported on a recent Texas House Committee on Natural Resources hearing where state agencies acknowledged a lack of data for adequate water planning. Ultimately, Hill aims for the 90th Legislative Session to introduce bills that support local communities, protect water resources, and ensure responsible data center development within Texas.