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DATA CENTER
EdgeConneX fields familiar water concerns; LPGCD denies partnership claims
Elgin residents showed up in force to EdgeConneX’s first public meeting last week equipped with questions on water, noise and agricultural impacts, though many said they left without the answers they came for.
The meeting June 16 at the North Bastrop County Community Annex brought locals face to face with EdgeConneX representatives as construction continues on the company’s data center campus near Wolf Lane and FM 535 in Cedar Creek. The Virginia- based company has two additional campuses in various stages of development in Bastrop County, according to officials.
EdgeConneX’s stay in the public spotlight has seen both those concerned with quality of life and proponents favoring economic benefits voice opinions. The meeting was anticipated by many as a chance to get the full picture.
The format itself, however, drew criticism.
“I thought it was odd,” said local farmer Tesseva Krull. “This was the smallest area I could think of in Elgin … They told everybody that they’re going to throttle everybody in 30 people at a time.”
Krull said attendees were admitted in groups and that some residents — including the elderly — left before making it inside due to the wait and summer heat.
WATER USE
Groundwater remained the dominant concern among attendees.
Krull said company officials told her studies were ongoing but could not answer specific questions about sustainability and long-term water availability for agriculture and ranching in the area.
According to EdgeConneX, its facilities use closed-loop cooling systems to recycle coolant, xeriscaping that removes routine irrigation and onsite water storage for fire protection.
The company said water efficiency is incorporated into overall site design and it is exploring the use of brackish groundwater — naturally saline and nonpotable.
Information displayed at the meeting stated the company was also working with Aqua Water Supply and the Lost Pines Groundwater Conservation District to evaluate options that would keep potable water use “as low as practicable.”
The LPGCD issued a release June 25 stating it does not have a partnership with EdgeConneX.
“The district does not agree with this representation and has requested that any references implying such a partnership be removed to avoid public confusion,” the statement read.
The district said its involvement has consisted only of a single meeting with company officials about permitting requirements and approval of an exempt test for an exploratory well.
Krull said many of her concerns remain.
“I feel like the only clarity was that they were saying they’re going to build no matter what and that this is going to benefit our town,” she said.
ECONOMIC BUMP
While many meeting attendees focused on environmental concerns, EdgeConneX’s presentation pushed the economic benefits it says the project would bring to the county.
EdgeConneX figures projected the proposed six-building campus would generate roughly $1.6 billion in property tax revenue over 20 years, including an estimated $287 million for the county, $1.17 billion for Bastrop Independent School District and nearly $200 million combined for local emergency service districts.
The company also estimates the project would create more than 200 permanent jobs with an annual payroll of about $16 million, in addition to hundreds of construction jobs during the buildout.
BROADER DEBATE
The discussions in Bastrop County reflect a statewide debate over large-scale data center development.
Gov. Greg Abbott this month directed the Public Utility Commission of Texas to ensure new data centers help reduce residential electricity costs and proposed additional industry regulations for next year’s legislative session.
At the local level, Bastrop County commissioners approved a legislative consulting contract June 22 to pursue greater regulatory authority over large-scale commercial development.
Lyndsey Schroeder, executive assistant to County Judge Gregory Klaus, said public attention on data centers has sharpened residents’ focus on future planning.
“Residents have become more engaged in conversations about local control, infrastructure impacts, resource management and long-term planning for growth,” Schroeder said.
EdgeConneX did not respond to requests for comment as of press time.
