A photo of the "Stargate I" site in Abilene, Texas. Credit: OpenAI
Community Impact reports that groundwater officials from Montgomery County commented on October 29th that new data center developers are not attracted to Montgomery County because of existing regulations protecting against overuse of water.
In the discussion of agency leaders at a symposium celebrating 25 years since the birth of the Lone Star Groundwater Conservation District, an organization that is responsible for taking care of Montgomery County groundwater supplies, it was said that Montgomery County is unlikely to be targeted by developers.
According to Board President of the agency, Jim Spigener, “If they were going to use water in a way that wasn’t good, in a way that wasn’t conserving, (they) would really have a hard time getting a permit from us.”
Data centers have become a bone of contention because they have big power and water needs. Regulators were directed to stop issuing new permits, by Governor Governor Greg Abbott in September, following his declaration a year ago that the state is “the epicenter of AI development” which are supported by the facilities.
According to the Texas Water Development Board’s dashboard, most of the county’s water needs depend on groundwater.
Spigener said a developer desiring to construct a data center would be hard-pressed to make it feasible due to the spread and speed of growth in the county. He also said it would be difficult for data centers to win approval because of the spacing requirements covering new wells.
Spigener said it doesn’t mean they’re trying to keep them out. He doesn’t want the water system taxed by the development’s type of cooling system.
According to Lone Star General Manager Sarah Kouba. at present the county cannot rely solely on groundwater. She said the gap is filled by Lake Conroe. She said, when it comes to conservation strategies such as tightening water restrictions during droughts and rainwater harvesting, discussions must continue.
