Lubbock City Council accepts data center petition
The Lubbock City Council has formally accepted a citizen-led petition for an 18-month moratorium on high water and energy use data centers within city limits. This procedural step leads to a required public hearing on September 8th before the council votes on the proposed ordinance. Council members expressed support for protecting the city but raised concerns about the legality of the proposed 18-month length under state law.
The Lubbock City Council has formally accepted a citizen-led petition calling for an 18-month moratorium on data centers with high water and energy consumption within city limits. This procedural acceptance follows the city secretary's verification of sufficient valid signatures.
The petition now mandates a public hearing, scheduled for September 8th, before the council can vote on adopting or rejecting the proposed ordinance. Councilman Tim Collins and Mayor Mark McBrayer both acknowledged the need to protect the city but voiced concerns regarding the legality of an 18-month moratorium under state law. Collins indicated he would present alternative, lawful proposals to achieve similar protections.
Mayor McBrayer affirmed the council's commitment to restricting data centers within legal boundaries, stating that ordinances could be passed while also considering legally permissible moratorium periods. If the council rejects the petition's moratorium, the citizens group could then push for the issue to appear on the May ballot, as the deadline for the November ballot has passed.