“Please do not hoist our descendants into a dystopian nightmare just because some people can’t write their own emails,” resident William Griffith pleaded with the council during the four-hour-long meeting.
City officials said the special gathering was intended to allow residents to have a voice.
“We want to know what your biggest concerns are and to hear different perspectives and maybe even hear some things tonight that we as a council have not yet thought about,” Lubbock Mayor Mark McBrayer said to open the meeting.
That expectation is largely what unfolded. The 67 speakers who addressed the council overwhelmingly urged city leaders to slow down, pause or reconsider how they approach large-scale data center proposals.
Lubbock residents overwhelmingly opposed the prospect of large-scale data centers, arguing the promised economic benefits weren’t worth the risks to water, neighborhoods and quality of life.
“People don’t want the money and we don’t want the jobs. We don’t want the revenue. We want our quality of life,” Lubbock County resident Joshua Shankles said. “We want our peace and quiet, and we want our water.”
West Texas families deserve answers before these corrupt big shots get the green light.
These data center developers promise jobs, power, water, and progress, but too often Texans are left with higher bills, louder neighborhoods, more pollution, and more questions than answers.… pic.twitter.com/qV8KhLMIDW
— Clayton Tucker (@ClaytonTuckerTX) July 8, 2026
“Citizens are telling you there is not a price or tax impact that can convince us to buy out our quality of life or public health and safety,” Niecy Pratt said.
Several residents urged the council to put future projects on hold until more research and stronger regulations are in place.
“We are calling for a full moratorium on these data centers,” Clayton Tucker, secretary of the Texas Farmers Union and Democratic candidate for Texas Agricultural Commissioner, said.
City leaders reiterated that the meeting was strictly informational and that no data center proposal was before the council.
“The city council has not approved any data centers at all,” McBrayer said. “No large-scale data centers have been voted on by this council. We don’t currently have a proposal in front of us to vote on.”
Officials said they called the meeting because they believe proposals are likely to come eventually, pointing to projects already underway in neighboring communities.
“Before long, they’ll come knocking on our front door, wanting zoning approval so they can build inside our city limits,” McBrayer said.
Assistant City Manager Eric Rugino outlined what the city would—and would not—have authority to regulate if a proposal came across the council’s desk.
“You have access and you have control over annexation, zoning, noise mitigation, lighting, infrastructure requirements, utility service agreements, as well as any other enforceable contracts that the council chooses to enter into,” Rugino said. “The city does not control ERCOT, state electric policy, state tax incentives, as well as broader property rights.”