County begins drafting data center ordinance
Cameron County officials have begun drafting an ordinance that would address potential data center development in the area following recent discussion sparked by CX Energy purchasing land in the county.
During a recent meeting of the Cameron County Planning Commission, board members held a general discussion about data centers and how the county should prepare for possible proposals.
The conversation followed the brokerage company CX Energy securing approximately 14,500 acres of shale gas rights in Cameron County and exploring opportunities to market those properties as potential sites for self-powered data centers.
Some communities that have considered data center projects have also raised questions about their environmental impact. Large data centers require significant amounts of electricity to power servers and cooling systems, and in some cases they use substantial amounts of water for cooling operations. Critics of large-scale data center development have expressed concerns about energy consumption, increased infrastructure demands and potential land use impacts in rural areas. Those issues are often addressed through local zoning rules, environmental review and land development ordinances.
According to Planning Commission Chairman Cliff Clark, CX Energy itself is not planning to develop data centers. The company’s role is to market properties where it holds gas rights as possible locations for future data center development.
Commissioner Representative Jessica Herzing reported that the county’s solicitor has begun drafting an ordinance specifically addressing data centers. Cameron County’s current land development ordinance does not contain language related to the facilities.
County officials say the proposed ordinance would focus primarily on the county’s responsibilities under the Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance (SALDO).
Municipalities would still have the ability to create their own ordinances addressing other aspects of development, including potential taxation or additional local regulations.
Once drafted, the ordinance will be reviewed by several county and regional organizations before moving forward. Those groups include the Cameron County Industrial Development Authority, the Planning Commission and the Cameron County Conservation District, which would be responsible for reviewing and enforcing relevant portions of the ordinance.
The ordinance process will follow a similar path to the county’s wind energy regulations adopted in recent months.
County officials said the public will have an opportunity to review and comment on the proposed ordinance before it is adopted. A public hearing will be held prior to final approval.
Commissioners said they are hoping to have a draft prepared for internal review by the end of the month and are working on an expedited timeline so the proposal can be presented to the public soon after.
At this stage, officials emphasized that discussions are focused on preparing the county’s regulations should development proposals be brought forward in the future.
