Fort Worth city officials are moving forward with a temporary halt to new data center development in response to community worries about noise pollution and water consumption. The Fort Worth City Council voted to advance the proposal on Aug. 11, setting the stage for a potential 90-day freeze on construction permits.
The measure still requires public hearings and further council approval before it becomes law. If adopted, the moratorium would take effect no earlier than Feb. 16. During this period, city staff will evaluate how data centers impact neighborhoods, natural resources, land use, and local infrastructure.
In a separate 10-1 vote, council members mandated that future data center applications must demonstrate approval from Texas utility regulators, including ERCOT, before connecting to the power grid. The council also approved the creation of a Data Center & Infrastructure Committee by a 10-1 margin to help draft long-term regulations.
Council member Elizabeth Beck addressed residents during the meeting, stating, "We are here to work with you on this. We aren't your enemy in this fight. This is something that impacts everyone in the city of Fort Worth. If it impacts you, it impacts me."
Data centers support digital services but require significant electricity and water. Residents have expressed concern about potential cost shifts for energy and water infrastructure to households and the proximity of facilities to homes. State Rep. Vikki Goodwin noted the vote could encourage state lawmakers to implement regulations regarding energy and water transparency.
