Fort Worth residents interested in the growing presence of data centers are invited to a public discussion hosted by the Fort Worth Report on August 20. The event will take place in the Martin Ballroom of Texas Wesleyan University, with a mingling session beginning at 5:30 p.m. followed by a one‑hour panel from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Panelists bring academic, industry and journalistic perspectives
University of Texas at Arlington assistant professor Mohammad Atiqul Islam will speak on the technical side of data‑center sustainability. His research blends computer‑systems engineering with environmental stewardship, focusing on measuring and reducing the water footprint of large‑scale computing operations. Islam has published data sets that track location‑based water consumption and has proposed workload‑scheduling methods that lower water use.
Energy executive Nikki Morris serves as the executive director of the TCU Ralph Lowe Energy Institute. With more than 19 years in upstream development, reserves management and strategic leadership, Morris connects industry, investors and policymakers to shape the future of energy and workforce development. She will address how data centers intersect with regional power grids and what that means for Texas’s energy strategy.
Journalist and researcher Jennifer Warren brings two decades of reporting on the shale revolutions and the broader energy landscape. A sixth‑generation Texan, Warren has written extensively about the Barnett Shale, the Permian Basin and the rise of data‑center facilities. She contributes to D CEO magazine’s annual energy edition and will discuss public perception, misinformation, and the role of media in framing the data‑center debate.
Key topics to be covered
The discussion will explore four main areas:
- What data centers are and why they are locating in Fort Worth.
- Their impact on critical resources such as water and electricity.
- Common misconceptions and misinformation surrounding the industry.
- Upcoming changes in the regulatory environment that could affect future development.
Attendees may submit questions in advance to [email protected], giving the moderator an opportunity to address community concerns directly.
How to participate
Those who wish to attend should RSVP as soon as possible. For residents unable to travel to the campus, the Fort Worth Report will livestream the entire session on its YouTube channel, ensuring broader access for anyone interested in the topic.
Scott Nishimura, senior editor for local government accountability at the Fort Worth Report, contributed the announcement. The outlet emphasizes its editorial independence from board members and financial supporters.
Original reporting: Fort Worth Report — read the source article.
