Missouri City Requires Data Centers to Disclose Energy, Water Use Before Permits as Houston Region Hosts 55
Updated
Updated · Houston Public Media · Jun 8
Missouri City Requires Data Centers to Disclose Energy, Water Use Before Permits as Houston Region Hosts 55
1 articles · Updated · Houston Public Media · Jun 8
Summary
Missouri City approved zoning rules in May that require any proposed data center to disclose expected energy and water use before it can obtain a building permit.
The measure does not ban data centers, but adds public hearings and special-use permit review so city officials can weigh utility strain, design, traffic, noise and environmental effects.
Water and power demands drove the change: a mid-sized data center can use about 300,000 gallons of water a day, while larger facilities may need up to 5 million gallons.
The debate comes as Texas has nearly 400 data centers, including 55 in Greater Houston, and researchers say the region could soon account for as much as a quarter of the state's total.
Industry groups say data centers support AI and digital services and generated more than $3 billion in state and local tax revenue over the past three years, while local environmental advocates warn of added pressure on water supplies and the grid.