A community town hall addressing proposed large-scale data center developments in Pecos County is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 20, at 6 p.m. at Zero Stone Park, 400 S. Nelson St. in Fort Stockton.
The event will focus on concerns surrounding plans attributed to Amazon and Microsoft to develop massive data center campuses in Pecos County, including potential impacts on electricity demand, water resources, infrastructure and surrounding communities.
According to an event announcement, Amazon is planning a 7.65-gigawatt data center development encompassing more than 8,000 acres near Fort Stockton. Microsoft is reportedly planning a separate 2-gigawatt campus in Pecos County.
The figures cited in the announcement represent a combined 9.65 gigawatts of proposed power capacity, although the projects’ development timelines, final configurations and electricity requirements have not been independently verified.
Julie Waters, who holds a law degree and is affiliated with Texans United Against Data Centers, is scheduled to speak at the gathering.
Organizers describe the event as an opportunity for residents to learn about the proposed developments and discuss ways to organize opposition to data center construction in Pecos County and other Texas communities.
The announcement specifically invites attendees to learn how they can fight the projects, indicating that the gathering is intended to mobilize opposition rather than serve as a neutral informational forum.
Large-scale data center developments have become an increasingly significant issue in Texas as technology companies seek locations with access to substantial electricity supplies, land and infrastructure to support cloud computing and artificial intelligence operations.
Projects of the magnitude described in the announcement could raise questions about electric grid capacity, water availability, land use, local tax incentives and the potential economic benefits of construction and permanent employment.
The extent to which those issues would affect Pecos County depends on the projects’ final designs, power sources, cooling technologies and infrastructure arrangements.
Organizers are asking participants to bring their own chairs, pens, stamps and writing materials, suggesting that the meeting may include opportunities for attendees to prepare written correspondence or other communications concerning the developments.
The town hall is open to interested residents, according to the announcement. No admission charge or registration requirement is listed.
The meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20, at Zero Stone Park in downtown Fort Stockton.
