Texas Legal Battle Continues Over AI Data Center Parcel
The county replaced the pause with a developer checklist after the company said the temporary moratorium threatened its power interconnection plans.
- On Thursday, Hill County Commissioners voted unanimously to end the one-year data center moratorium and adopted a developer checklist, rescinding the pause just two weeks after its implementation.
- Developer RCM Hill, LLC filed a $100 million lawsuit on May 27, arguing the county "exceeded its lawful powers" by passing the moratorium, which threatened their ability to meet state interconnection standards.
- County Judge Shane Brassell said the moratorium was "a success" for buying time to develop the checklist, while fire officials cited safety concerns about data center proximity to the I-35 corridor.
- The adopted checklist derives authority from state statutes, as Hill County officials navigate limited regulatory power in unincorporated areas compared to cities with zoning authority.
- At least 248 data centers are planned across Texas, reflecting a statewide trend where industrial development outpaces regulatory capacity and intensifying debates over county authority.
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18 Articles
Where are the data centers in Texas? Help us continue our reporting.
By María Méndez, The Texas Tribune June 8, 2026 Across Texas, more than 200 new data centers are planned as computing demand grows for the artificial intelligence boom. For many communities, this has raised conversations about how these data centers will affect regional power and water resources. However, the state grid does not publicly disclose the location of proposed data center projects. To help Texans navigate these conversations, Texas T…
An unprecedented data center boom means new challenges for Texas. Find out what’s planned near you.
A Texas Tribune analysis identified at least 248 planned data center projects. Opponents fear the projects will spike Texans’ electric bills and make the grid less reliable. But industry representatives say they promise huge economic gains.
'Trying to take advantage of country bumpkins': Texas counties say they can't stop 248 planned data centers
A recent analysis found that Texas has at least 248 planned data centers. Almost half would be in unincorporated areas whose leaders said they have almost no power to stop them, the Texas Tribune reported. In places like Hood County, the AI boom has become a local battle over water, electricity, noise, and community power. Southwest of Fort Worth, Texas, the county currently has eight data center proposals. Residents are concerned the projects c…
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