In anticipation of a city council vote scheduled for Thursday, Priority Power CEO Brandon Schwertner is addressing widespread misconceptions regarding a proposed data facility in College Station. The facility has faced significant opposition from local residents, primarily due to initial documents circulated on social media that suggested the project was related to Bitcoin mining. Schwertner contends that these early impressions are misleading, emphasizing that the current focus is on data processing and artificial intelligence.
To clarify the project’s intent, Schwertner intends to request that the city council remove any mention of cryptocurrency from the land agreement associated with the facility. He acknowledged the misunderstanding, stating, “I think there was a general misconception, and rightfully so, that this was going to be a Bitcoin mining site.”
Schwertner highlighted the potential benefits of the data center, which is proposed to be located near the Midtown area, behind a Costco. He argued that it would not only support Texas A&M University but also create jobs and generate tax revenue for the city. “It’s going to bring more business into the city,” he asserted, reinforcing the argument for the project’s positive economic impact.
Concerns have emerged among College Station residents partly stemming from experiences in other Texas communities, such as Granbury, where residents near a Bitcoin mining operation reported disruptive noises. One Granbury resident described the situation, saying, “It’s 10 o’clock at night, and I’m sitting next to my truck… you’re hearing all the Bitcoin noise. It’s all you can hear.” Another resident detailed the negative health effects associated with the constant noise, which they claimed resulted in disorientation and disrupted sleep.
In response to these issues, Schwertner assured residents that the proposed facility would not induce similar problems. “The technology is more sophisticated. Noise ordinances are known,” he explained, indicating that measures are being taken to mitigate any noise concerns. He emphasized that local regulations would prohibit any adverse impacts in terms of sound quality.
On the matter of supporting infrastructure, Schwertner noted that the city had previously allocated necessary water resources for the site, affirming that the project would remain within those limits. He also addressed power supply considerations, clarifying that the facility’s energy needs would be sourced externally. “The high-performance computing center is not going to come in and take power out of the pool and then drive prices up as a result,” he stated. Schwertner reassured locals that their electricity rates would not be affected by the large energy demands of the data center.
The College Station City Council is set to convene on Thursday with the agenda focused on this proposal, and a substantial turnout of residents is expected, many of whom plan to voice their opposition. The discussions surrounding the project continue to unfold as local stakeholders weigh its potential implications for the community.
