Overview
- Angelina County officials told residents Tuesday that state law prevents counties from imposing moratoria or zoning bans on proposed data centers, leaving tax abatements and negotiated conditions as the main local levers.
- The AmpZ proposal near Lufkin would reuse a former paper mill on more than 1,000 acres and, according to city materials, could bring roughly $1 billion in investment, about 500 construction jobs, and use a closed‑loop water system estimated at about 500 gallons per day.
- Brazoria County on Tuesday passed a unanimous resolution asking for setback, noise and water protections, independent impact studies, and development fees, while officials warned that such resolutions have limited legal force without state action.
- Residents across Southeast Texas report persistent noise, vibration and other local harms from existing sites, and at least one developer has commissioned a sound study and plans to build sound walls in response to complaints.
- Governor Greg Abbott has directed the PUC and ERCOT to propose rules to make data centers pay for electric infrastructure and improve reporting on power and water use, a step counties say is needed because they lack consistent legal authority to regulate these facilities.