Why a controversial Bastrop gas plant tied to Claude is facing pressure
Bastrop County commissioners unanimously asked the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to hold a public meeting on an air permit for Pacifico Energy's proposed gas plant in Cedar Creek. The 710-megawatt plant would power a $2.2 billion data center campus developed by BlackChamber and reportedly anchored by Anthropic, prompting sustained opposition from nearby residents concerned about industrialization, pollution, power demand and water use.
Bastrop County commissioners unanimously approved a resolution asking the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to hold a public meeting on Pacifico Energy's proposed 48-turbine gas plant in Cedar Creek. The plant would generate 710 megawatts to serve a data center campus of at least two buildings, with BlackChamber identified as the developer and Anthropic, the company behind Claude, reportedly planned as the primary tenant. The first building, known as Project Longhorn, is expected to cost about $366 million and could be completed in 2028.
Residents have opposed the project for months, citing its proximity to homes, farmland and schools and raising concerns about air quality, public safety, electricity demand and water consumption. The proposed campus would use up to 6,900 gallons of potable water per day under an Aqua Water Supply Corporation resolution, while the developers say expected use would be closer to 2,000 gallons daily. The county's request does not require TCEQ to hold a hearing, though interim executive director Steven Schar may consider the level of public interest when deciding whether to call one. The development is part of broader data center growth in Bastrop County, where EdgeConneX is building a major campus and Amazon has acquired land for a potential facility.