Texas county lifts data center moratorium amid pressure from developer lawsuit

A Texas county has lifted its moratorium on data center construction less than a month after putting it into place.Hill County commissioners voted to lift the moratorium Thursday in response to a lawsuit filed by a developer for damages. Instead, commissioners adopted a checklist that developers will need to follow.Despite voting to lift the moratorium, commissioners said the implementation of the checklist was a win for Hill County."Given the exposure that the county is subject to and in light of the other things that are on our agenda, I think some of our goals, not all of our goals have been achieved, and I think that in order to protect the citizens of Hill County going forward…I vote yes," Commissioner Jim Holcomb said.The new checklist requires developers of major industrial developments to provide information on expected water use, traffic impacts, noise levels and economic effects. Projects will also be required to provide public notice to nearby residents and local media when