Caddo Commission Declines Vote on Data Center Water Restrictions

Proposal for one-year moratorium and study on water usage fails to gain support from other commissioners.

Published on Feb. 4, 2026

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The Caddo Parish Commission in Louisiana declined to vote on a proposal by Commissioner Chris Kracman to temporarily restrict developments like data centers from using large amounts of water from Caddo Lake. Kracman had suggested a one-year moratorium and a study on whether the lake can withstand the large water withdrawals and any environmental impacts. However, other commissioners were hesitant to impose a moratorium on a project they knew little about, as the details of a proposed data center near Blanchard have not been fully disclosed.

Why it matters

The Caddo Commission's decision not to vote on water restrictions could further encourage data center developers to seek out friendly local governments and favorable tax policies in the region. This comes as communities across the country have resisted the establishment of data centers due to their high water and electricity needs, as well as concerns over light, noise, and water scarcity.

The details

Commissioner Kracman's proposal coincided with talks of a data center near Blanchard, where the town council agreed in December to sell water to a large-scale user reportedly purchasing hundreds of acres near Latex and State Line roads for a data center campus. Kracman stated that Blanchard has entered into an agreement with a developer requesting 1.5 million gallons of water per day. However, other commissioners said they were hesitant to impose a moratorium on a project they knew little about, as not all aspects of the Blanchard data center have been disclosed.

  • The Caddo Parish Commission work session where the proposal was discussed took place on Monday, February 4, 2026.
  • In December 2025, the Blanchard town council agreed to sell water to a large-scale user reportedly purchasing land for a data center campus.

The players

Chris Kracman

A Caddo Parish Commissioner who proposed a one-year moratorium and study on water usage from Caddo Lake by data centers and similar developments.

Blanchard Town Council

The town council in Blanchard, Louisiana, which agreed in December 2025 to sell water to a large-scale user reportedly purchasing land for a data center campus.

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What they’re saying

“It's a shame that you all didn't want to have a conversation.”

— Chris Kracman, Caddo Parish Commissioner (The Black Chronicle)

“What I know for a fact is that Blanchard has entered into some type of agreement with a developer who is requesting 1.5 million gallons of water a day.”

— Chris Kracman, Caddo Parish Commissioner (The Black Chronicle)

“Melissa Beckett, who lives nearby in Texas, told the Caddo Commission she worried about light and noise pollution and water becoming more scarce.”

— Melissa Beckett, Nearby Resident (The Black Chronicle)

What’s next

The Caddo Parish Commission did not indicate any clear next steps or future actions related to the proposed water restrictions or the data center project in Blanchard.

The takeaway

The Caddo Commission's decision not to vote on water restrictions for data centers highlights the ongoing tension between economic development and environmental concerns in communities across the country. As the demand for data centers continues to grow, local governments will need to carefully balance the potential tax revenue and job creation with the impact on natural resources and quality of life for residents.