People in rural Hudspeth County, Texas, made a long trip to seek answers about a proposed $15 billion data center project that many said they didn't know was coming, KFOX14 reported.
Here's what to know
ServerDome Global hosted residents at Hueco Ranch, where it proposes building the project.
The initial phase of development would occupy 700 acres, with plans for 10 dome-shaped buildings.
Residents raised questions about the development's potential effects with company leaders; the nearest homes in Desert Haven are several miles away.
"Nothing's set in stone. As a community, we didn't even know that this was going to be here," one resident said, per KFOX14.
More background
In addition to the data center buildings, the proposal includes a substantial on-site power plant.
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Rather than drawing electricity from the grid, the facility would rely on natural gas, ServerDome managing director and co-founder Ryan Wallace said.
"It will be behind the meter. There will be no interconnection agreement whatsoever," Wallace said, according to KFOX14.
What's being done?
ServerDome said it would share noise and transportation studies with residents.
To reduce water consumption, the company said it would cool the facility with a closed-loop system.
A fire station and centers for medical care and leisure are among the community amenities proposed by CEO David Keegan, KFOX14 noted. The company said it anticipates an operational workforce of 200 to 300 people.
Residents at the meeting wanted evidence that the company would deliver on its promises.
For Hueco Tanks resident Deborah Flowers, the presentation did not resolve uncertainty.
"It remains to be seen how much they stay to what they say now," she told KFOX14.
Where can I learn more?
Other Texans have also raised questions about data center plans.
• Calallen residents pushed back against a data center plan with $19.6 billion in leases.
• In Wichita Falls, residents pressed candidates on data centers' power and water demands.
• Anthropic discussed a Bastrop County data center backed by a 2,842-acre gas-fired power project.
• The state's 12 largest planned gas projects all look to supply power for data centers.
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