In June, San Marcos became the first city in Texas to prohibit data centers.
In June, San Marcos, Texas became the first city in the state to ban data centers. Now, a state senator is challenging that decision, testing the limits of local power, reports Emily Hallas in Washington Examiner.
Republican state Sen. Paul Bettencourt told the Texas Tribune that state law does not allow San Marcos to "ban anything everywhere in the city," citing House Bill 2559 and the 2023 "Death Star Law" that restricts cities from enacting local laws that contradict state laws.
"The battle over San Marcos comes as Texas Republicans divide over the path of data center development in the state. Most acknowledge expansion is necessary to support the artificial intelligence revolution but have split on how much control local authorities should wield over the process," Hallas explains.
Bettencourt believes the state's economic growth depends on "statewide, top-down guidelines," and is part of a cohort of state officials including Gov. Greg Abbott, who has called Texas an "epicenter" of AI development.
Read the full story: First Texas city to ban data centers faces power test with challenge from state senator
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