Texas Record
Amarillo
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Data Center Development

Summary

Amarillo residents are pushing back against a proposed data center, fearing it'll bring noise, traffic jams, and put a strain on the local power supply. They're making sure the city hears their worries loud and clear.

At a glance

Total mentions
11
Last 30 days
1

Impact analysis

💰Financial impact

This could mean higher electricity bills for everyone if the power grid gets overloaded.

✅Who benefits

Tech companies looking for cheap land and power are the ones who stand to gain here.

⚠️Who could be affected

The folks living nearby could be stuck with the noise and traffic headaches.

Mentions & discussions (14)

MyHighPlains (KAMR)Sep 23, 2026

Governor Abbott directs TCEQ to halt data center permits

Governor Greg Abbott announced Monday he directed the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to halt permits to data center until the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) completes its audit.

MyHighPlains (KAMR)Aug 19, 2026

Talarico criticizes Paxton over data center policy, donations; Paxton calls rival a hypocrite

Data centers have become a hot-button issue over the summer, leading Republican leaders to call on the state to slow down the pace of data center development in Texas.

MyHighPlains (KAMR)Aug 6, 2026

Major data center company backs Abbott's audit as Texas pauses new grid connections

Gov. Greg Abbott announced that QTS Data Centers has committed to meeting Texas' new regulatory standards for data center projects, following his directive for a comprehensive audit of the state's rapidly expanding data center sector.

Amarillo TribuneAug 4, 2026

Abbott halts data center approvals pending audits, but Panhandle data centers will not be affected

Grand opening attendees take a tour through the edge data center at Region 16. (Amarillo Tribune photo/ Phoebe Terry) " data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/amarillotribune.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/DSC_3848-scaled-1.webp?fit=780%2C520&ssl=1" /> O...

MyHighPlains (KAMR)Aug 3, 2026

Gov. Abbott stops all Texas data center projects for audit

AUSTIN, Texas (KETK) - On Monday, Texas Governor Greg Abbott ordered the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) to audit all data center projects that are connecting to the state's grid. The PU...

MyHighPlains (KAMR)Aug 2, 2026

Politics Today featuring Texas Rep. Ken King discussing data center boom

AMARILLO, Texas (KAMR/KCIT) — On Aug. 2, a special-edition episode of KAMR Local 4 News Politics Today features Anchor Andy Justus reviewing the Data Center boom with Texas Representative Ken King. Here are a few topics, along with details of storie...

MyHighPlains (KAMR)Jul 29, 2026

Amarillo College says data center growth creating new opportunities for students

As data center development continues across the Texas Panhandle, Amarillo College officials say the projects are creating new career opportunities for students while reinforcing the importance of completing their education.

MyHighPlains (KAMR)Jul 21, 2026

Public Utility Commission seeks additional authority to regulate data centers

The Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) proposed additional legislative actions ahead of the next session to give itself and the Electric Regulatory Commission of Texas (ERCOT) more authority in regulating data center development in the state.

MyHighPlains (KAMR)Jul 20, 2026

Rep. Ken King speaks on data center boom

AMARILLO, Texas (KAMR/KCIT) – Texas, like many parts of the country, is seeing a boom in data centers in the area. As we previously reported, there are over 10 data center proposals in Amarillo alone and even more across the Panhandle. With the boom ...

Amarillo TribuneJul 17, 2026

Proposed EPA rule could weaken Texans’ voice on certain air permits used by data centers

The Stargate data center in Abilene on May 2, 2026. Jon Shapley for The Texas Tribune " data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/amarillotribune.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/20260503-Center-Aerials-JS-08.webp?fit=780%2C520&ssl=1" /> The U.S. Environmenta...

Amarillo Globe-NewsMay 30, 2026

Amarillo mayor elaborates on council discussion on large data centers

Amarillo mayor elaborates on council discussion on large data centers Amarillo Globe-News

KVIIMay 29, 2026

Amarillo leaders weigh 2-year moratorium on large-scale data centers amid resource concern

Amarillo leaders weigh 2-year moratorium on large-scale data centers amid resource concern KVII

MyHighPlains (KAMR)May 6, 2026

Texas data centers could amount to 9% of the state's water use by 2040, study finds

TYLER, Texas (KETK) -- Researchers from the University of Texas at Austin are calling for transparency in data center water use after new studies suggest the industry could potentially account for up to 9% of the state's water usage within the next...

Spectrum NewsNov 25, 2025

Amarillo residents voice concerns over new data center

Amarillo residents voice concerns over new data center Spectrum News

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