Primary Department: Commissioner, Precinct 4
Primary Department Head/Elected Official: Lesley Briones, Commissioner
Secondary Department: N/A
Secondary Department Head/Elected Official: N/A
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Regular RCA
Type of Request: Discussion Item
Project ID (if applicable): N/A
Vendor/Entity Legal Name (if applicable): N/A
MWBE Contracted Goal (if applicable): N/A
MWBE Current Participation (if applicable): N/A
Justification for 0% MWBE Participation Goal: N/A - Goal not applicable to request
Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): N/A
Justification for 0% Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): N/A - Not a grant item
Request Summary (Agenda Caption):
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Request for discussion and possible action regarding data center development and operations in Harris County, including the County’s existing authority and oversight.
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Background and Discussion:
Texas has more than 600 operating, under-construction, and planned data centers, including 118 in Dallas County, 55 in Harris County, 46 in Bexar County, and 39 in Travis County. Large data centers can generate significant tax revenue, but they require substantial land, electricity, water, and supporting infrastructure while creating relatively few permanent jobs. Residents near existing and proposed sites have raised concerns about water and energy use, grid reliability, utility costs, noise, environmental impacts, property values, and public safety.
Authority over land use, water, utilities, and environmental permitting is divided among the County, cities, municipal utility districts, the Harris-Galveston Subsidence District, TCEQ, and other entities. County departments, including the County Attorney’s Office, Office of the County Engineer, Pollution Control Services, and Fire Marshal’s Office, may have authorities that intersect with data center development and operations. These departments can evaluate available procedural, regulatory, and policy tools within existing County authority, including development review, fire and life safety requirements, environmental enforcement, infrastructure coordination, and tax abatement guidelines.
Expected Impact: N/A
Alternative Options: N/A
County Strategic Plan Goal: N/A
County Strategic Plan Objective: N/A
Justice/Safety Initiative (Goal 1): N/A
Infrastructure Initiative (Goal 2): N/A
Economy Initiative (Goal 3): N/A
Health Initiative (Goal 4): N/A
Climate/Resilience Initiative (Goal 5): N/A
Housing Initiative (Goal 6): N/A
Additional notes related to the Strategic Plan:
Prior Court Action (if any): N/A
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Precinct(s): Countywide
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Anticipated Court Date: 10/15/2026
Anticipated Implementation Date (if different from Court date): Click or tap to enter a date.
Emergency/Disaster Recovery Note: Not an emergency, disaster, or ARPA related item
Contact(s) name, title, department: Anne Sung, Chief Policy & Innovation Officer, Commissioner Precinct 4
Attachments (if applicable): N/A