The Cost of Data Centers: Water, Power & the Future of Rural Texas

As data center development accelerates across Texas, many communities are asking important questions about water use, power demand, infrastructure, agriculture, and local oversight. On June 11, 2026, I joined fellow speakers at "The Cost of Data Centers," a public forum hosted by Matagorda Against Data Centers in Bay City, Texas. The event brought together technical experts, elected officials, and community advocates to discuss how large-scale data center development may impact Texas communities and natural resources. Featured Speakers: • Sid Miller, Texas Agriculture Commissioner • Clayton Tucker, Candidate for Texas Agriculture Commissioner • Michael Rice, Software Engineer & Data Center Infrastructure Expert • Kenneth Schustgereit, Texas Water Advocate Topics discussed included: • Data center power consumption • Water usage and cooling systems • Impacts on agriculture and rural communities • Electrical grid infrastructure • Economic development and tax incentives • Transparency and public involvement • Environmental and resource considerations • What local communities can do to stay informed and engaged As someone who has spent years working with data center infrastructure, automation, and large-scale computing environments, I was honored to provide a technical perspective on how these facilities operate and the challenges communities should understand before major projects are approved. Whether you're a supporter of data center development, a concerned citizen, an elected official, or simply interested in learning more about one of the fastest-growing industries in Texas, this discussion offers valuable insights from multiple viewpoints. If you found this discussion helpful, please like, subscribe, and share. #DataCenters #Texas #MatagordaCounty #WaterResources #Infrastructure #Agriculture #Energy #RuralTexas #CommunityImpact #KnowLeonCounty