Homeowners on the far West Side of Bexar County are raising concerns after a strong natural‑gas odor has been detected near the Vantage Data Center under construction at Texas Research Park, off State Highway 211 and Potranco Road. Sarah Forsythe, who recently moved to the area for its open space, said the smell became apparent while she was playing with her granddaughter at the neighborhood playground.
“Oh my God, what is that awful? Oh my God, that’s natural gas,” Forsythe exclaimed, adding that residents received no prior notice that a large data‑center facility was being built next door.
Company response to the odor complaint
Stuart Pennington, a spokesperson for the local homeowners association, relayed that the odor was described as “strong enough to make people violently nauseous.” He contacted Vantage Data Centers, which replied that the site is one of several where a chemical used to give natural gas its distinctive smell is injected. According to Pennington, the company admitted a “gross error in the amount being used,” resulting in an excessive injection that caused the odor.
Mark Freeman, vice president of global marketing for Vantage Data Centers, reiterated that the facility will rely on natural‑gas infrastructure and emergency backup generators, both standard for mission‑critical data‑center operations. He emphasized that the company follows all applicable permitting, inspection, maintenance and safety procedures, including operational monitoring, routine testing, employee training and emergency‑response protocols.
“We are not aware of any incident at the site that has posed a risk to the surrounding community,” Freeman said. “Vantage remains committed to being a responsible community partner, listening to residents’ concerns and engaging constructively with local officials and stakeholders.”
Project details and community impact
The Texas Department of Licensing and Registration filing shows the completed facility will span 432,800 square feet and provide 96 megawatts of critical IT capacity, with construction costs exceeding $276 million. While the project promises jobs and economic activity, local residents are urging the developer to improve communication and ensure that safety measures are fully transparent.
Forsythe summed up the sentiment of many neighbors: “We’ve just tried to talk and be friendly, but it’s not going both ways. It’s really not.”
Next steps
KSAT has reached out to CPS Energy for any recent reports of natural‑gas leaks or related complaints, but has not yet received a response. Residents hope that Vantage will adjust the chemical injection levels promptly and keep the community informed about any further safety checks.
As the data‑center construction progresses, the situation underscores the importance of clear communication between large‑scale developers and the families who call the surrounding neighborhoods home.
Original reporting: San Antonio, TX News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
