Hill County commissioners voted 3-2 to impose a one-year moratorium on data center projects on rural land. The decision marks the first such ban in Texas, a state known for being friendly to data center development.
Commissioners vote 3-2 for ban
The moratorium follows a trend of data center developers moving to rural areas to avoid city regulations. Local concerns include increased power rates, noise pollution, and infrasound from data centers.
County Attorney David Holmes warned the commission could face lawsuits over the moratorium. He told the commission, "You're damned if you do and damned if you don't."
State Senator Paul Bettencourt has asked the Texas Attorney General to investigate whether counties have the legal authority to impose such bans. The outcome of that investigation remains unclear.
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