Council member Jeanette Martinez proposed the task force as a way to \u201cempower the community in the data center conversation,\u201d she said in a news release<\/a> Tuesday. Two other council members told the Fort Worth Report they support the proposal, which would require approval by a majority of the council.<\/p>\n \u201cI firmly believe that our city must reconcile industrial growth with community oversight,\u201d the release from Martinez\u2019s office read. \u201cAs the data center industry evolves, it is imperative that we take necessary measures to understand how emerging infrastructure can impact Fort Worth.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Her proposal comes three weeks after Martinez joined the majority of her colleagues in calling for a data center moratorium<\/a>, which would place a legal pause on permitting and construction of any new data centers in Fort Worth. The council is expected to discuss the moratorium at their Aug. 4 work session, then vote Aug. 11 on whether to launch it.\u00a0<\/p>\n Martinez maintains her commitment to the moratorium, the release said, but the task force is needed as an additional step to \u201ckeep the public\u2019s interest at the forefront of the discussion\u201d on data centers. She did not return a request from the Fort Worth Report for further details on the proposal.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n For years, residents have banded together to voice their concerns and opposition regarding industrial growth<\/a> in neighborhoods, particularly in the east Fort Worth and Northside communities included in Martinez\u2019s council district. Community efforts have led to the formation of advocacy groups, including the Fort Worth Environmental Coalition of Communities and the Echo Heights Stop Six Environmental Coalition.\u00a0<\/p>\n In recent months, data center developers have increased their efforts to bring the supercomputer hubs to Fort Worth, prompting outcry from residents and environmental activists concerned about data centers\u2019 potential impact on the city\u2019s natural resources, including water and electricity.\u00a0<\/p>\n John MacFarlane, Greater Fort Worth Sierra Club conservation chair and member of the Fort Worth Environmental Coalition of Communities, said he is \u201ccautiously\u201d optimistic about Martinez\u2019 call for a task force. The Sierra Club and MacFarlane have worked with other local advocacy groups to protect land from industrial developments<\/a>, including proposed expansions of power lines and data center projects in and around Glen Rose southwest of Fort Worth.\u00a0<\/p>\n Four data centers currently operate<\/a> in Fort Worth. Six other facilities, including two in extraterritorial jurisdiction, have been proposed.<\/p>\n Major data center projects planned by Black Mountain<\/a> and Edged Data Centers<\/a> have drawn scrutiny from Fort Worth communities but would not be impacted by the moratorium because they are already under planning or in construction.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Council member Elizabeth Beck, who initiated the moratorium, said the task force is a great idea that she and several of her other colleagues, including the mayor, have discussed. She said she\u00a0 looks forward to a \u201crobust discussion\u201d by the council on including the right stakeholders on the task force.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWe want to make sure that we have a very thoughtful, deliberate group of people at the table, so that it remains productive and that we make sure it’s a well-rounded discussion,\u201d Beck said in a phone interview.\u00a0<\/p>\n Under city code, a task force functions \u201conly in a study capacity\u201d to help the council address specific issues on a temporary basis. Task forces may only advise city leaders and do not have any decision-making power.<\/p>\n Mayor Mattie Parker\u2019s spokesperson did not return a request for comment Wednesday on whether the mayor supports the task force\u2019s creation.\u00a0<\/p>\n Martinez proposed the task force be led by \u201cdedicated community members and subject-matter experts\u201d from across Fort Worth.<\/p>\n If the task force is created, MacFarlane said he hopes it includes residents who advocate for environmental health and well-being of neighborhoods, especially those inundated with industrial sites.\u00a0<\/p>\n Martinez\u2019s call for a task force comes after the local chapter of the Sierra Club released a statement on data centers Thursday, with suggestions on how the hubs should be regulated.\u00a0<\/p>\n In that statement, the group said data center development requires thorough public involvement, such as a committee made up of \u201ccitizens and experts\u201d to draft proposed regulations while a moratorium is in effect.<\/p>\n Council member Mia Hall had planned with Beck to initiate a discussion around a data center task force after the council returned from its July recess next week, she told the Report via text message.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThere is a sense of urgency around this issue,\u201d Hall wrote. \u201cAs we consider a proposed moratorium, we should use that time intentionally, developing and refining regulations alongside the work of the task force rather than waiting until the moratorium concludes to begin that process.\u201d<\/p>\n If approved, the 90-day moratorium likely wouldn\u2019t go into effect<\/a> until the end of the year. Hall said she hopes to use the additional time to develop \u201cthoughtful, balanced and enforceable regulations\u201d that address resident concerns and protect Fort Worth\u2019s neighborhoods and resources.\u00a0<\/p>\n Teena James, a leader of the Echo Heights Stop Six Environmental Coalition, said a data center task force is not enough. She emphasized the need for Fort Worth officials to hold developers accountable and consider the community\u2019s health and quality of life when considering data centers.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cIt affects us all,\u201d James said.\u00a0<\/p>\n Council member Carlos Flores acknowledged Martinez\u2019s proposal in a text message to the Report but did not say whether he plans to support it.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cCrafting effective regulations for data centers is a prudent step and requires knowledgeable input,\u201d Flores wrote. \u201cWhen the city council returns from July break, we will have an opportunity to discuss the idea of forming a data center task force, as suggested by Councilwoman Martinez.\u201d<\/p>\n Cecilia Lenzen is a government accountability reporter for the Fort Worth Report. Contact her at cecilia.lenzen@fortworthreport.org<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n Nicole Lopez is the environment reporter for the Fort Worth Report. Contact her at nicole.lopez@fortworthreport.org<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n The Report\u2019s environment coverage is supported by the Marilyn Brachman Hoffman Foundation.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Goss-FedExProtest-03-1024x683.jpg\")
Teena James, Echo Heights Stop Six Environmental Coalition co-founder, speaks during a protest June 10, 2025, outside of Fort Worth City Hall. The coalition consists of residents who are fighting against the industrialization of the Echo Heights neighborhood. (Mary Abby Goss | Fort Worth Report)<\/p>\n