Caldwell County residents discuss potential data center development

Approximately 300 Caldwell County residents attended a recent town hall meeting to discuss the potential development of large-scale data centers, reflecting growing public interest and concern. County Judge Hoppy Haden opened the discussion, explaining that due to developers often purchasing land before approaching the county, and current Texas law restricting county zoning authority, Caldwell County primarily relies on development agreements to influence projects. The county reviews drainage and engineering plans and issues permits, using these agreements to negotiate terms before considering tax abatements. Through these development agreements, county officials aim to establish environmental safeguards and operational standards, including the use of closed-loop cooling systems, restrictions on water consumption, and the use of non-potable water sources. For instance, a 100-megawatt data center would be limited to about 20,000 gallons of water per month, comparable to a few households. Judge Haden, with a background in water quality, emphasized protecting local water resources. An industry representative at the meeting noted evolving industry standards toward net-zero and water-positive operations, addressing some common environmental concerns. Financially, Judge Haden indicated the county could receive $14 million to $20 million annually from agreements tied to tax abatements, potentially allowing investment in farmland preservation. However, not all attendees were convinced, with Bobby Levinsky, an attorney with the Save Our Springs Alliance, encouraging residents to challenge projects and view