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Johnson County enacts nonbinding resolution urging stricter oversight of large‑scale data centers
Summary
After extensive public comment and expert testimony, Johnson County commissioners unanimously adopted a nonbinding resolution calling for transparency on projected water and electricity use, independent impact studies, and legislative action to give counties more review authority for large‑scale computing facilities.
Johnson County's commissioners voted unanimously April 13 to approve Resolution 2026‑08, a nonbinding statement urging the Texas Legislature and state agencies to require full public reporting of projected electricity demand, water use and infrastructure impacts for proposed large‑scale data centers before approvals proceed.
The item drew a packed public comment period, with industry builder Mark Hayes telling the court, "I build them for a living," and urging local planning to "draw the data centers to us, but limit what they can do." Eddie Pollock, a longtime well contractor, warned the court that deep, long‑term declines in groundwater levels already threaten rural wells and said the added consumption from data centers could worsen the problem. "I've seen a dramatic change in our water levels," Pollock said, describing wells that produced hundreds of gallons per minute in the 1970s now yielding far less.
Demetra Conrad pressed the court to "halt any interest or invitation to any data centers" until better data is required by state regulators and developers are transparent about water use and energy demand. Representative Helen Kerwin, who attended the meeting, said her office will press for guardrails in Austin: "We believe in growth but I also believe in guardrails that protect the long‑term strength of our resources," she said, urging clarity on water stewardship and grid reliability.
The resolution opposes open‑loop evaporative cooling systems and other high‑volume potable‑water cooling technologies in water‑constrained regions, asks for independent assessments of ERCOT grid impacts and regional water availability, and requests that the Legislature consider limited tools to give counties meaningful participation in infrastructure and resource impact reviews. The court emphasized that the resolution is nonbinding but designed to send a unified local message to state lawmakers and regulators.
The motion passed unanimously after questions from commissioners about lithium battery storage risks, emergency responder training, tax abatements and the limits of county authority. Court members asked staff to continue coordination with state legislators and regional stakeholders and to return any model language to refine local requests for legislative change.
