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Residents urge Atascosa County to restrict data centers, call for decommissioning bonds and fire‑safety data
Summary
Multiple residents warned commissioners that data centers and large battery storage facilities pose environmental and safety risks, asked for independent studies, stronger decommissioning bonds, developer‑funded first‑responder training and denial of tax abatements.
Several Atascosa County residents used the public comment period to call on commissioners to take stronger local action on data center and battery energy storage projects.
Jacqueline Corus told the court residents had petitioned against data centers and asked, “Was due diligence done on the best center in Poteet?” She also referenced a state list of restricted vendors and said a letter had been sent to the attorney general and state energy regulators alleging noncompliance by a company that worked in Pleasanton. Vicky Eckert urged a formal county policy, saying local governments must “be smarter, faster, tougher for their legal teams” and proposing a framework with upfront financial safeguards. “We must require developers to post a 125% upfront bond so that when these batteries die … the taxpayers aren't stuck with a multimillion dollar toxic cleanup,” Eckert said.
Other residents pressed for independent environmental review and decommissioning requirements. Linda Carter asked for third‑party environmental impact studies, periodic reviews every five years, and an independent cost estimate for salvage and recycling to ensure long‑term cleanup funding. The court did not take immediate formal action on these requests during this meeting; residents asked the court to refer the proposed framework and petitions for legal review and for staff to report back to the commission.
What happens next: several residents handed the court written proposals and asked the county attorney to review the suggested ordinances and bond requirements. Commissioners did not vote on new regulations at this meeting; public comment closed and the court proceeded to other agenda items.
