Willie Nelson, the 93-year-old country music legend, has publicly advocated against the expansion of data centers in rural Texas, citing their environmental impact and strain on resources. Nelson shared his concerns via social media, urging his followers to resist what he described as "water thieving" and "light polluting" facilities that threaten the character and livelihood of small towns.
Nelson, who hails from Abbott, Texas, expressed his dismay at the prospect of industrial development encroaching on areas where he can still observe the night sky. "The last thing we need is a loud, water thieving, light polluting, data center anywhere near our town (or any others for that matter)," Nelson stated. He emphasized that the strength of rural America lies in its people, open spaces, local businesses, and connection to the land, not in large industrial footprints.
His remarks align with recent statements made by Texas Governor Greg Abbott. On Tuesday, Abbott called for a ban on data center developments in rural Texas communities. "We must prohibit them from building AI data centers in rural Texas neighborhoods," Abbott said during a campaign stop, according to the Texas Tribune. He further stipulated that any future data centers would need to be self-sufficient in terms of water and power, and contribute to reducing electricity costs for state residents.
Governor Abbott also indicated a desire to eliminate tax breaks currently offered to data centers, stating, "We must eliminate the tax break they are getting. They must be responsible for funding their own projects here in Texas. We will get that done."
Nelson, a long-standing environmental advocate, has a history of supporting agricultural communities through his nonprofit organization, Farm Aid. Co-founded with John Mellencamp and Neil Young over four decades ago, Farm Aid has raised more than $90 million to support family farms and preserve agricultural land. The organization was established in 1985 to address the loss of family farms and provide financial assistance to farm families.
Nelson's plea highlights a growing concern about the resource demands, particularly water and energy, of data centers, which are crucial for the burgeoning field of artificial intelligence. The expansion of these facilities in agricultural regions raises questions about land use, water rights, and the preservation of rural economies and environments.