The City of Fort Worth has established a new body to evaluate the local effects of expanding data center infrastructure. The Fort Worth Data Center & Infrastructure Commission (DCIC) began operations this week, tasked with analyzing how these facilities affect the city’s power grid, water resources, land use, and neighborhood stability.
The group aims to present a final policy report to the City Council by November 3.
This initiative follows an August 11 resolution in which the City Council directed the City Manager to assemble an expert panel. The commission is designed to address specific operational challenges, including energy demands and economic development goals, while considering the broader impact on local residents.
Mike Slattery, Ph.D., director of the Institute for Environmental Studies at Texas Christian University, leads the effort. He was selected to organize the panel, manage the research framework, and write the final recommendations. The 11-member group includes industry professionals, academic researchers, environmental advocates, and community leaders. Five seats were filled by individuals nominated by City Councilmembers to ensure neighborhood perspectives are included.
Voting members of the commission include David Berzina of JLL, Rev. Vernon Elisher of Youth & Family Community Outreach Inc., and Krista Erbe of the 2871 Community Coalition. Other members are Dr. Nick Fang from UT Arlington, Andrew Franko of Freese and Nichols, and Rusty Fuller of the North Fort Worth Alliance.
The panel also features Tobi Jackson of Fort Worth SPARC, Ryan Kuithe of QTS Data Centers, John MacFarlane of the Greater Fort Worth Sierra Club, Dr. Stathis Michaeledes of TCU, and Ambika Sharma.
