Amarillo residents press council for transparency on Fermi America AI project and water deal

Dozens of Amarillo residents used the City Council public-comment period on Sept. 23 to press elected officials for greater transparency about discussions with Fermi America over water and energy for a proposed AI data center and adjacent nuclear-generating facility.

Speakers said they learned details about the deal through news reports and outreach by neighbors rather than city briefings, and asked for public timelines, contracts and explanations of likely impacts on water supplies, power prices and agricultural uses.

“Before the council starts giving them our water and raising our electricity cost, this really should be an issue that the voters have a say in,” said Jerry Ross, identifying himself as an Amarillo parent and Randall County resident, during public comment. “This company needs Amarillo. Amarillo does not need this company.”

Several speakers urged the city to disclose what well fields or Carson County wells are under discussion, the planned amount of water the project may require, and whether any agreements would limit local control over aquifer withdrawals. “Which of the Carson County wells are y’all talking about? How many of them are y’all leasing…