North Texas counties to weigh, discuss data center proposals
Local officials in Jack, Parker, and Hood counties in North Texas are holding meetings to discuss proposed data center developments amid growing resident opposition. Concerns center on the projects' water and electricity demands, as well as the limited regulatory power counties have in Texas. Specific proposals involve CyrusOne, Black Mountain, Fort Worth Power Core LLC, and Sailfish Investors LLC.
North Texas counties, including Jack, Parker, and Hood, are holding discussions on proposed data center developments amidst increasing community opposition. The state of Texas provides limited regulatory options for counties concerning such projects, leading to concerns from local officials and residents alike.
In Jack County, the Commissioners Court was expected to review a tax abatement application from Dallas-based CyrusOne for a $600 million data center project but will instead reschedule the vote. The proposed development, potentially expanding to $2 billion, would span 485 to 940 acres and include a power substation. CyrusOne, represented by VP Katy Hancock, has offered a 15% property tax abatement for 10 years in exchange for meeting county requests on noise, road repairs, setbacks, local hiring, and a $1.5 million donation for emergency services.
Parker County's Commissioners Court plans to assess the long-term impacts of industrial data centers on infrastructure, water, and the state power grid. This meeting follows resident concerns over Black Mountain's purchase of 2,000 acres for a Fort Worth data center and a permit held by Fort Worth Power Core LLC for gas turbines. Hood County commissioners are also considering the 2,100-acre Comanche Circle data center development near Glen Rose from Sailfish Investors LLC, which received conditional approval in January but is pending submission of requested studies on traffic and water use.
Across these counties, residents are voicing significant opposition, primarily citing concerns about the immense water and power demands of data centers, as well as the transparency of local officials' handling of the projects. Fort Worth itself has begun discussions on regulating data centers and potentially banning cryptocurrency mining, highlighting the broader statewide challenge counties face in regulating land use outside city limits compared to cities with full zoning authority.