Harlingen, Texas
HARLINGEN RESIDENTS UNITE AGAINST POSSIBLE DATA CENTER
A wave of concerned citizens dominated the public comment section of the January 7 City Commission meeting to oppose a rumored AI data center project. Citing fears of secret land deals and non-disclosure agreements, speakers warned that the proposed facility could consume millions of gallons of water daily and threaten the local power grid. Residents urged city leaders to reject what they termed "extraction sites," arguing these projects would offer few permanent jobs while putting the community's health and resources at significant risk.
Among the speakers was Dr. Etienne Rosas, a candidate for Congress in Texas’ 34th District, who argued that Harlingen is already a water stressed community where residents and farmers face rationing while a single data center could guzzle over a billion gallons annually. He cautioned that such projects often privatize profits while socializing losses, leaving taxpayers to fund the infrastructure needed to support them.
Despite the impassioned testimony, the Mayor and Commissioners were unable to respond to the speakers' concerns or questions, as the Texas Open Meetings Act prohibits officials from discussing items not listed on the official agenda.
HARLINGEN RESIDENTS UNITE AGAINST POSSIBLE DATA CENTER
A wave of concerned citizens dominated the public comment section of the January 7 City Commission meeting to oppose a rumored AI data center project. Citing fears of secret land deals and non-disclosure agreements, speakers warned that the proposed facility could consume millions of gallons of water daily and threaten the local power grid. Residents urged city leaders to reject what they termed "extraction sites," arguing these projects would offer few permanent jobs while putting the community's health and resources at significant risk.
Among the speakers was Dr. Etienne Rosas, a candidate for Congress in Texas’ 34th District, who argued that Harlingen is already a water stressed community where residents and farmers face rationing while a single data center could guzzle over a billion gallons annually. He cautioned that such projects often privatize profits while socializing losses, leaving taxpayers to fund the infrastructure needed to support them.
Despite the impassioned testimony, the Mayor and Commissioners were unable to respond to the speakers' concerns or questions, as the Texas Open Meetings Act prohibits officials from discussing items not listed on the official agenda.
1 day ago
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