Henderson County unanimously adopts resolution urging safeguards for data centers after packed public hearing

Henderson County’s commissioners on Tuesday unanimously approved a resolution calling for stronger safeguards, transparency and independent impact reviews for large data‑center projects, after a packed public comment period where residents urged the court to block projects near Cedar Creek Lake.

The resolution — read aloud by County Attorney Kenneth Strong and moved for approval by Commissioner Spivey with a second from Commissioner Tulie — expresses conditional support for “appropriately designed and cited data center facilities” but formally opposes open‑loop evaporative cooling systems and other high potable‑water consumption technologies in water‑constrained regions unless demonstrably sustainable supply and mitigation safeguards are in place. The court authorized distribution of the resolution to state officials including the governor, members of the Texas Legislature and state utility regulators.

Why it matters: Speakers during the public‑comment period said water availability, noise and light pollution, reduced property values, and the use of nondisclosure agreements and tax abatements have left residents unprepared for rapid data‑center siting near lakefront communities. “This is a water issue. It’s a property‑value issue. It is a local‑control issue,” Ashley Cook told the court, asking commissioners to take a public stand against incentivizing or permitting data centers in Henderson County.

Residents and several experts described specific local concerns, including survey work reported on Key Ranch Road and a proposed Wildpaw Energy/battery facility that speakers said may be phased into larger development. Juliet Hills told the court that survey crews were marking roadwork and questioned whether battery storage could be the first phase of a bigger data‑center project, urging the county to require full disclosure of corporate structure and long‑term plans.

Commissioners’ position: Commissioner Spivey — who said she has not signed any nondisclosure agreements with developers — framed the resolution as a nonbinding statement asking the state to give counties more meaningful authority and transparency in land‑use, water and energy impact review. “This is not a vote approving or denying any specific project today,” Spivey said. The court and the judge repeatedly told the public they share many of the same concerns but emphasized limits of county authority under current Texas law.

What the resolution asks for: It urges full public reporting of anticipated electricity demand and water usage, independent impact analyses (grid, transmission, water availability and environmental impacts), adoption of resource‑sustainability standards (including closed‑loop or nonpotable water use where feasible), and legislative action to provide counties and municipalities more involvement in land‑use and infrastructure planning for large‑scale data centers.

Next steps: The court approved the resolution and authorized distribution to state officials and agencies named in the text. Commissioners said they will press state legislators and regulatory agencies for changes; no specific county permit or project was approved or denied during the meeting.

Votes and motion: Motion to approve the resolution by Commissioner Spivey; second by Commissioner Tulie. Vote: unanimous approval.