LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – An effort to halt data centers in Lubbock, spurred by citizen petition, has culminated in compromise.
As part of the ‘Save Lubbock’ group, Stephen Sanders says he’s been working with city council the last several months to see what can be done about large-scale data centers. While his 18-month moratorium ordinance proposal was not feasible under Texas law, he says a 90-day proposal by the council is a meaningful step
“It gives our city time to establish guardrails, protect out resources, consider the long-term effects on our neighborhoods, and develop a clear plan, rather than rushing forward without adequate preparation,” Sanders said.
The resolution to start the moratorium process was approved 5-2. While the ordinance is drafted, city planning staff is tasked with developing new guidelines on water use, power reliability, zoning, noise and lighting for any large scale center. A work session will also be scheduled within 90 days so experts can brief the council on potential data center impacts.
District 6 councilman Tim Collins voted against this resolution. He says with the regular Texas legislative session set to end in May 2027, he believes now’s not the time to institute this.
“We are going to receive a great deal of information,” Collins said. “A great deal of information about power requirements, a great deal about water needs, a great deal of information about what the state is going to require data centers to do. We only have one tool, and that’s this moratorium. If we exercise that tool today, come June, we’re out. We’re out of the game.”
District 4 councilman Tim Green also voted not to adopt the resolution, saying he feels technology around data centers has changed and its potential for Lubbock’s economy could be significant.
“If it threatens Lubbock’s water supply, we shouldn’t approve it, and we won’t approve it,” Green said. “If a company can demonstrate it can operate responsibly, then let’s look at it.”
District 5 councilwoman Jennifer Wilson says she wants business to come to Lubbock, but not at any cost to our resources.
“I want it to be the right project, in the right location, and in the right circumstances that it benefits us here in west Texas,” Wilson said.
Mayor Mark McBrayer added that given what’s going on right now in the state, this will give the city plenty of time to assess the situation.
“Given ERCOT’s situation, no one’s coming to Lubbock in the next year anyway with a data center,” McBrayer said. “We are staking a position that we want to wait for our legislators at the state level to give some direction, to give some further guidance in areas where only they can give guidance.”
If the optional 90-day moratorium extension were to be approved by council, a potential large-scale data center would not be considered until June of 2027.
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