Nancy White, a consultant who has worked with Van Zandt County on concerns surrounding data center projects, recently advised Bowie County commissioners to take an active role in regulating proposed local development.

Regulation and Safety

White emphasized that if growth is inevitable, it needs to be done the right way, ensuring industrial development complies with state standards. She recommended hiring or contracting a county fire marshal to oversee this process.

White pointed to Van Zandt County as an example, where a county commissioner asked a data center company to provide evidence that its project complied with state laws, standards, and codes regarding battery storage. The company failed to provide this evidence, and the county subsequently hired a fire marshal whose review identified problems with required testing.

White suggested that Bowie County consider a temporary moratorium on large-scale projects while officials gather more information. She cited an Austin County moratorium covering data center projects and noted that Bowie County could use a similar pause to determine the potential effects on health, safety, and welfare.

State-Level Developments

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott recently announced a moratorium on the approval of data centers until regulatory agencies can audit those seeking connection to the state’s electric grid. White urged commissioners to obtain engineering expertise and submit information they gather to state authorities, which could help support a broader state review of the projects.

White’s message to residents opposed to the proposed developments was to remain engaged and make their presence known at government meetings, emphasizing that participation is a civic duty.

Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.