Hood County Revokes 862-Acre Data Center Plan Over 100-Megawatt Power and Water Concerns
Updated
Updated · POLITICO · Sep 3
Hood County Revokes 862-Acre Data Center Plan Over 100-Megawatt Power and Water Concerns
3 articles · Updated · POLITICO · Sep 3
Summary
Hood County commissioners voted 3-2 this summer to revoke a previously approved concept plan for Fort Spunky, an 862-acre Texas data center.
The proposed project sought 100 megawatts of electricity and projected water use of up to 20,000 gallons a day, fueling local concerns about strain on the power grid, water supply and rural landscape.
Packed public meetings pushed commissioners to tighten development rules, including requiring more detailed disclosures on future projects’ energy and water demands.
The backlash highlights a wider split around AI infrastructure: residents and policy advocates say using AI does not mean accepting nearby data centers, while industry groups and building trades stress tax revenue and construction jobs.