Hill County, Texas passes year-long data center construction ban in unincorporated areas; 3-2 vote blocks eight planned developments amid resident concerns over power, water, and quality of life impacts.

‘We’re gonna get sued.’ Texas county passes 1-year data center construction ban.

The moratorium applies to unincorporated parts of Hill County, a rural area facing eight potential data center developments.Workers prepare to move materials at a power plant that's under construction in East Texas. Hill County, southwest of Dallas, is seeking to control growth related to data centers and the power generation they require. | Eric Christian Smith/APBy Mike Lee05/16/2026 02:00 PM EDTA Texas county southwest of Dallas this week passed what may be the state’s first county-level mor...