Wichita Falls to host debate on Texas data center impacts

A public debate regarding the impact of data centers is scheduled for this Sunday in Wichita Falls, Texas. Hosted and moderated by Julie Waters, the event will take place at the Work Services Corporation from 3 PM to 5 PM.

Expected attendees include Wichita Falls district representative James Frank and his opponent Leilani Barnett, as well as mayoral candidate Scott Poenitzsch. The debate is expected to feature various candidates from the Texas Senate District 28 race and the Texas Attorney General Commissioner race.

The discussion follows a recent decision by Governor Greg Abbott to pause new data center construction in Texas. This pause remains in effect until companies complete an audit involving surveys on power generation, water usage, cooling operations, and community impact. Currently, fewer than thirty of the nearly four hundred surveyed data centers have submitted the required information.