The Hood County Commissioners Court conditionally approved an incomplete data center plan after roughly two hours of residents urging their local officials not to move forward due to water concerns.
Blakely Fernandez, an attorney hired by the county, explained last week that once a concept plan is submitted, the commissioners have 30 days to act, according to state law. She also said that the commissioners may deny, approve, or conditionally approve the plans.
Fernandez further explained that the commissioners must look at certain criteria when making a decision on the concept plans. She recommended to the commissioners that they approve the plan on the condition that the property developers provide the missing information before a certain deadline.
She also told the commissioners that Somerville County already rejected the developer’s plan for sourcing water.
According to the concept plan, the primary source of water for the facility would be groundwater wells.
Doug Shaw, the general manager of the groundwater conservation district in Hood County, explained the agency had not received any applications for groundwater permits that would be needed for the data center.
Shaw expected that it would take at least a year to go through the application process.
When questioned by Commissioner Nannette Samuelson during public comment, the spokesperson for the developers confirmed that they have not yet closed on the property.
Fernandez noted that it is unclear what the appeals process would be for a denial of this plan.
Commissioner Kevin Andrews stated “With a conditional approval, we can put some teeth in this thing.”
After further discussion, County Judge Ron Massingill read the conditional approval for the concept plan, stipulating that the developers provide a comprehensive drainage plan and wastewater treatment plan.
The county also requested proof that the project would not affect the watershed of neighboring properties, proof that the on-site power generation facility met regulations, proof of water resources for the plan, and proof the project will not affect the water quality of the county’s water resources.
The additional information is due by February 27, 2026.
Due to public outcry about the data center plans and the nuisances of the cryptocurrency mining center, the commissioner’s court also voted to have a meeting to discuss a potential change to county regulations to allow for a moratorium on applications for cryptocurrency and data center development. That meeting is scheduled for February 10, 2026.
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