Westlake data center could move forward after Thursday vote
A controversial data center project in Westlake could move forward. The town council is set to consider approving a development agreement this Thursday.
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A controversial data center project in Westlake could move forward. The town council is set to consider approving a development agreement this Thursday.
City leaders are weighing new restrictions on development.
A new study found that lower-income, rural households bore a disproportionate share of the financial burdens associated with AI data centers and the energy they use.
Big majorities of 2026 election voters opposed the building of data centers in their community.
The Westlake Town Council must still review and approve the settlement at an upcoming meeting.
Democratic victories in several gubernatorial races are likely to slow data center development across the U.S., according to tech analysts.
Americans living on a fixed income are particularly vulnerable when electricity costs surge, a Consumer Reports expert says.
Cleanview Research found 75% of data centers being built and 80% of data centers in the planning stage are in predominantly GOP states, as public opposition to data centers grows.
Amazon said it will invest $1 billion over five years to support job education, energy affordability and other priorities in communities where its data centers are located.
Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and Democratic gubernatorial candidate are running a tight race. Data center issues are one of the biggest talking points leading up to the midterms.
A Tarrant County judge set an Oct. 23 hearing after attorneys filed hundreds of pages of new documents and dissolved a temporary restraining order in the case.
Last week, the town of Westlake voted not to renew the city of Keller's police services contract, following a legal fight over a planned data center.
State audits of power and water use could shape new rules lawmakers consider next year.
All 20 people who spoke at Tuesday's public hearing supported a proposed moratorium as city officials examine concerns about electric capacity and other resources.
"Simply put, Texans must come first," Gov. Abbott said.
Data center construction is booming, with many more planned for rural America. But there's also growing tension between economic development and community pushback.
An announcement from the town government notes that a revised plan would require filing a new application.
Most Americans say they're opposed to data centers. But a lucky few have gotten rich selling their land to data center developers.
The rapid growth of data centers is raising questions about electricity use, water consumption, environmental impacts, and where these facilities should be built.
Technology company SPAN wants to build thousands of tiny data centers and spread them across the country.
Planning and zoning proposals indicate the planned data center would occupy a plot of land near future homes.
30% of respondents supported the construction of data centers in their community, while 57% were opposed.
Backlash against data centers has become a political buzzsaw in Texas in time for the November election.
Even though the state legislature is not in session, lawmakers held a hearing last week on the controversial facilities at the Capitol, where Texans expressed their concerns.
Overflowing crowds urge lawmakers to rein in data center development, citing noise, water use, rising electricity bills, and a lack of county authority.
