Granbury data center power plant sows transparency concerns

The city of Granbury, Texas, is facing strong community opposition and threats of legal action as its City Council prepares to vote on rezoning land for a data center power plant. Residents have expressed anger and fear, claiming city leaders were aware of the development involving Bilateral Energy and 'Project Patriot' despite initial denials from City Manager Chris Coffman. In January, the City Council approved the annexation of 2,090 acres, known as Knox Ranch, owned by Granbury Reddy Land Partners. The upcoming April 7 meeting will decide on rezoning this land to allow for an electrical generating facility with eight turbines and 87 linear generators, previously approved by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality for Bilateral Energy. Despite Coffman's assertion that he was unaware of Bilateral Energy's involvement until January, a letter of support and a tax abatement proposal for 'Project Patriot' were approved in July, with details discussed in executive session. Coffman attributed the project name to a "cyber war" context. Emails from January also indicate city and county officials, including Hood County Commissioner Jack Wilson, were scheduled for a tour of data center equipment led by Bilateral Energy's director, Daniel Wong. Coffman claims he believed the tour was from Edged Data Centers. A law firm, Dias Hall Law, has sent a letter to Coffman requesting preservation of communications, pending potential legal action from unnamed taxpayers and voters against the city and its officials. The City Council will also consider new design and zoning standards for data centers at the upcoming public hearings.