Texas Ag Commissioner Sid Miller speaks at Lubbock data center protest
A protest against data center developments was held in Lubbock, Texas, where attendees called for an 18-month moratorium on new projects. Texas Ag Commissioner Sid Miller and State Representative Vikki Goodwin spoke, raising concerns about the impact of data centers on agricultural land, water supply, and the power grid, urging the state to implement regulations.
Residents in Lubbock, Texas, along with state leaders, gathered for a protest against data center developments, which was part of a national day of action. Citizens of Lubbock Against Data Centers organized the event in Cop Park, providing food and collecting signatures for a petition advocating an 18-month moratorium on data center construction in the city. They aim to build community opposition to current proposals and ensure that data centers do not negatively impact local resources.
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller joined the protest, emphasizing his push to regulate data center expansion statewide. Miller warned that unchecked growth could jeopardize agricultural land, the state's water supply, and the power grid. He has called for a special 30-day legislative session to establish regulations and "guardrails" for the industry, noting the lack of current oversight.
State Representative Vikki Goodwin, the Democratic candidate for Lieutenant Governor and current representative for Austin, also participated, echoing the call for a special legislative session. Goodwin highlighted the significant state incentives, amounting to a billion dollars in 2025 and potentially 3.5 billion in coming years, being offered for data center development. She stressed the need for the legislature to debate the costs of electricity and water associated with these facilities and ensure public concerns are heard statewide, including in Lubbock.