Overview
- Hood County commissioners voted 3–2 to reject a pause on new industrial data centers for the second time this month.
- The vote followed hours of public testimony, with residents warning about noise, water and power strain and some urging commissioners to resign.
- Developer Sailfish Investors welcomed the outcome and said its planned Comanche Circle campus would deliver jobs, investment and long-term tax growth.
- Hays County delayed a proposed 30-day halt on high‑water‑use projects, asked Gov. Greg Abbott to call a special session for county authority, and requested a stage four drought response that would pause industrial water permits.
- State lawmakers have warned counties lack moratorium powers, and ERCOT projects data centers will drive a 71% jump in statewide electricity demand by 2031.