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Resident raises questions about data centers, water exports and small modular reactors linked to RELLIS
Summary
A Precinct 2 resident urged the court for clearer public information on planned data centers, water use and a Texas A&M partnership on small modular nuclear reactors at RELLIS, asking how power and cooling demands will be met and whether water would be exported from Brazos and Robertson counties.
During the citizen input portion of the Oct. 28 meeting, Christine Shemick of Precinct 2 told the court she had questions about proposed data centers and research projects in the region and asked county leaders for clearer public information.
"What do these data centers actually produce? No one seems to have a concise answer," Shemick said, asking how much power and water the facilities would use and whether local resources could be diverted from residents or businesses. She also asked about litigation she said had been filed and settled over water volumes between Brazos and Robertson counties.
Shemick raised the Texas A&M System's announced partnership with companies to develop small modular nuclear reactors at RELLIS and asked how those reactors would be cooled and what fuel sources would be used. "All the risk is on Brazos County residents," she said, adding concerns about possible use of enriched uranium and closed-door agreements.
The court acknowledged Shemick's remarks and said staff would follow up. The presentation later in the meeting referenced RELLIS-related incentive agreements in the county's compliance report, but no county action on data-center siting, water exports or nuclear facilities was taken at the Oct. 28 session.
The county did not provide technical answers during the public comment; Shemick said she was continuing research and welcomed correction from technical experts.
