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Granbury Today
By the People, for the People
Hood County to Reconsider Moratorium on Data Centers
Local officials will vote again on pausing new data center projects after a narrow defeat of the proposal earlier this month.
Published on Feb. 23, 2026
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The Hood County Commissioners Court in Texas will once again vote on implementing a moratorium on new data center projects in the county, where over six such developments have been proposed. The initial 3-2 vote against the moratorium earlier this month faced backlash from residents concerned about the impact on public health, the environment, and local resources.
Why it matters
Data centers have been rapidly proliferating across Texas, with the state now home to the second-most such facilities in the country. This has raised concerns among local communities about the strain on electricity grids, water supplies, and the overall environmental impact. A moratorium in Hood County would be an unprecedented move to slow industrial development and allow time for further study.
The details
The proposed moratorium states the county needs additional time to "understand the potential impacts of industrial development in the unincorporated area on the public health, safety, peace, morals, and general welfare, as well as recreation and the protection of the State's rivers and lakes in order to develop appropriate and adequate regulations." Commissioners will also vote on seeking an opinion from the Texas Attorney General's office on the county's authority to go beyond state law, as well as a resolution asking the governor to call a special legislative session on regulating data centers.
- Earlier this month, the Hood County Commissioners Court narrowly voted 3-2 against a moratorium on data centers.
- The commissioners will vote again on the moratorium proposal.
The players
Hood County Commissioners Court
The governing body of Hood County, Texas that will vote on the proposed moratorium on new data center projects.
Paul Bettencourt
A Republican state senator from Houston who previously said local officials do not have the power to enact a broad moratorium on data center developments.
Rita Beving
A clean energy and eminent domain advocate with Public Citizen who said "We're in the wild, wild west of data center development" in reference to the rapid growth of such facilities in North Texas.
What’s next
The Hood County Commissioners Court will vote again on the proposed moratorium on data centers. They will also vote on seeking an opinion from the Texas Attorney General's office on the county's authority to regulate data centers beyond state law, as well as a resolution asking the governor to call a special legislative session on the issue.
The takeaway
This case highlights the growing tensions between local communities and the rapid expansion of data centers across Texas. Hood County's potential moratorium would be an unprecedented move to slow industrial development and allow time for further study on the impact of these facilities on public resources and the environment.
