Advocate says new Hill County data center policies may be better than moratorium
Hill County commissioners in Texas rescinded a one-year data center moratorium after a lawsuit was filed by RCM Hill. In its place, the commissioners approved new policies, including a checklist and a major industrial development review policy, which an advocate believes may offer stronger protections for residents while avoiding legal issues.
Hill County commissioners in Texas recently rescinded a one-year moratorium on data center construction. This decision came after company RCM Hill filed a lawsuit challenging the ban, prompting commissioners to protect citizens from further legal liabilities. Despite the moratorium's reversal, Julie Waters, who leads Texans United Against Data Centers, stated that residents are not back to square one.
The commissioners simultaneously approved two new policies: a 'major industrial development review policy' and a 'checklist' for large industrial projects. Waters supports these new measures, believing they offer a more robust framework for protecting Hill County while circumventing further legal disputes. She emphasized that the county currently lacks the capacity to litigate the moratorium's legality, making these new policies the best immediate avenue to safeguard local interests.
The new checklist mandates developers to provide a traffic impact analysis, bridge capacity analysis, and total projected water demand, among other requirements. These provisions aim to address long-standing concerns voiced by residents regarding the impact of data center developments. Waters encouraged citizens to continue their advocacy efforts, hoping other counties in Texas will adopt similar protective guidelines.