Rural counties in North Texas, such as Hood and Somervell counties, are attempting to regulate the influx of new data centers in their areas. However, they are facing legal threats from developers who argue that these regulations are unlawful.

Local Residents Concerned About Impact

Concerned residents, such as Joanne Carcamo, who co-founded the advocacy group Protect the Paluxy, are speaking out against the construction of data centers in rural areas. They argue that these facilities could raise electricity bills, use up water resources, and ruin tourism for nearby Dinosaur Valley State Park.

Carcamo stated, ‘I would be able to see the entire Comanche Circle project from my backyard.’ She hopes that the state will set parameters to limit the construction of data centers in rural areas and near state parks.

Developers Using Lawsuits to Push Forward

Some companies are using lawsuits to push developments forward in Texas and across the nation. In Michigan, a town faced legal pressure from a developer after leaders voted to limit data center construction. The town eventually settled, allowing the facility to be built.

In Hill County, south of Fort Worth, commissioners rescinded a moratorium on data center construction after a company sued for $100 million, arguing that the county didn’t have the legal authority to impose the ban.

State Officials Taking Action

As public pressure builds, state officials are starting to take action. Earlier this month, Gov. Greg Abbott directed public utilities to ensure that electricity costs tied to data centers aren’t passed on to residents. He also pledged to work with legislators to codify protections.

The Republican Party of Texas announced that regulating large-scale data centers is one of its priorities in next year’s legislative session.

Original reporting: Fort Worth Report — read the source article.