woodiewood1 said:

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ElephantRider said:

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JP76 said:

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Can anyone confirm the size of this facility ?

At 200 acres would that not make it the biggest mining facility in the world ?

Currently isn't the one on the 100 acres at the old Alcoa plant the largest in existence ?

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It's not like it will cover the whole 200 acres. City probably making them buy it all, since it will essentially be worthless once this thing is built

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the one being built in Abilene will be the largest in the U,S, when completed,,,,,BTW, it out of Abilene off of I20, not in a residential/retail area,

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You're correct that it is not in a residential area, but the city annexed the land as part of the whole deal. So it is actually inside the city limits [now].

AggiePhil said:

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woodiewood1 said:

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ElephantRider said:

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JP76 said:

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Can anyone confirm the size of this facility ?

At 200 acres would that not make it the biggest mining facility in the world ?

Currently isn't the one on the 100 acres at the old Alcoa plant the largest in existence ?

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It's not like it will cover the whole 200 acres. City probably making them buy it all, since it will essentially be worthless once this thing is built

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the one being built in Abilene will be the largest in the U,S, when completed,,,,,BTW, it out of Abilene off of I20, not in a residential/retail area,

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You're correct that it is not in a residential area, but the city annexed the land as part of the whole deal. So it is actually inside the city limits [now].

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Abilene also doesn't have municipal electric and has a lot better access to power. However, I think there are a total of three going in around Abilene.

I received a message from the petition that William Wright is supporting the real estate contract. He makes it seem there is time, but what are they voting on Thursday? I feel like there's only 3 days.

Does it surprise you that he's in favor?

What this entire episode has shown us is that transparency in local government is on life support. If it was not for Mr. Yancy, we, the citizens of College Station, would be in the dark about all of this. I am sure the CoCS staff are not keeping anything from us, but they are not going out of their way to inform us. Also our "local" media is silent on this issue. What is their problem. If it is good for CoCS then they (the staff and media) should be shouting it from the roof tops. And I understand that NDs are at stake, however you do not need to give details, just tell us what is happening.

Coopers at 7?

That's correct. @7

I won't make it tonight but I don't think that really matters. I think every single person is on the same page against this thing and they may not have that much space in there

TAMU1990 said:

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I received a message from the petition that William Wright is supporting the real estate contract. He makes it seem there is time, but what are they voting on Thursday? I feel like there's only 3 days.

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What exactly is being voted on? I may have missed it, but I have not seen a clear explanation of the actual motion anywhere yet. Is it a vote to officially approve the sale of the land? Or something more intermediate like 'enter into contractual negotiations' or 'form an exploratory committee'?

From the agenda.

Is it just for Spring Meadows and Woodland Hills or can anyone go?

MsDoubleD81 said:

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Is it just for Spring Meadows and Woodland Hills or can anyone go?

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Anyone

"I think it has a lot to do with the council and staff dislike for the Midtown developer"

If this is true, then we have a deep, deep problem in City Hall. If true, these individuals (whether mayor, council, staff) has ceased to work for their employers, the citizens of CS. If city staff are pushing this contract for their own personal agenda (in whole or in part, however minimal), they should be immediately terminated or recalled.

All of us deal with people every day that we don't particularly like or they have an opinion on something that is opposite of what we believe. But our differences doesn't negate the need to work with that person for the good of the community as a whole.

Unfortunately that's exactly what this is about and they are willing to harm the city for no reason.

Bob, if you are still listening, here is a question that should have been asked, at least by the CoCS staff.

The Data Bank developer should be asked, "Is College Station your first choice for the opportunity, or was another city, community, country etc. asked and they turned it down and why?" I do not know if CoCS staff asked that question to the developer or not, but I, and many like myself, would like to know the answer.

Hornbeck said:

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Tailgate88 said:

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EliteElectric said:

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Because RELLIS property is likely WAY more expensive, I don't see RELLIS giving up land for another Data Center

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Actually… in addition to the 46,000 sq ft data center under construction, a second approx 230,000 sq ft data center has been announced and is in planning stages at RELLIS.

I would have to think this new proposed one would be private so for Google, Amazon etc. I think Midtown would be a terrible location smack in the middle of civilization.

https://chatgpt.com/share/68b9f43f-c0ec-8003-9410-b39b4215efe5

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With those low figures for estimated jobs, I have to think this is a bitcoin mining operation.

Not good neighbors, not good jobs, but use tons and tons of water and electricity to line the pockets of some out of state investors or a private equity group. Not to mention the noise aspect.

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Soon to be controlled by AI, eliminating those jobs.

Speculative markets. Gee, where in US history has that led to collapse...?

Tonight I'm going to party like it's 1929.

There's a meeting at 7 pm tonight at Cooper's about this boondoggle.

TAMU1990 said:

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I received a message from the petition that William Wright is supporting the real estate contract. He makes it seem there is time, but what are they voting on Thursday? I feel like there's only 3 days.

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I read the same thing. William Wright sounds like somebody that is going to do whatever he wants, regardless of the citizens. I read that as a done deal. He's just going to give some lip service to appear like he's contemplating.

The contract that I saw was signed by power company, but not College Station. If City Council wants to proceed with contract, then open the discussion to public? I can live with that. As long as this is Step 1 or 2 and there are many more steps.

HOWEVER, we have to know who has final say on contract. If the city can back out at any time? Fine. If you don't, you will be tarred and feathered. If this Thursday meeting green lights the deal and it's the ball is in Bitcoin miner's court? It's going to get ugly.

doubledog said:

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What this entire episode has shown us is that transparency in local government is on life support. If it was not for Mr. Yancy, we, the citizens of College Station, would be in the dark about all of this. I am sure the CoCS staff are not keeping anything from us, but they are not going out of their way to inform us. Also our "local" media is silent on this issue. What is their problem. If it is good for CoCS then they (the staff and media) should be shouting it from the roof tops. And I understand that NDs are at stake, however you do not need to give details, just tell us what is happening.

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Amen.

Tailgate88 said:

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EliteElectric said:

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In case this hasn't already been posted

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I hope every member of City Council will read this article before they vote on Thursday.

'We're Living in a Nightmare:' Inside the Health Crisis of a Texas Bitcoin Town

Quote:

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n an evening in December 2023, 43-year-old small business owner Sarah Rosenkranz collapsed in her home in Granbury, Texas and was rushed to the emergency room. Her heart pounded 200 beats per minute; her blood pressure spiked into hypertensive crisis; her skull throbbed. "It felt like my head was in a pressure vise being crushed," she says. "That pain was worse than childbirth."

Rosenkranz's migraine lasted for five days. Doctors gave her several rounds of IV medication and painkiller shots, but nothing seemed to knock down the pain, she says. This was odd, especially because local doctors were similarly vexed when Indigo, Rosenkranz's 5-year-old daughter, was taken to urgent care earlier that year, screaming that she felt a "red beam behind her eardrums."

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Quote:

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Over the course of several months in 2024, TIME spoke to more than 40 people in the Granbury area who reported a medical ailment that they believe is connected to the arrival of the Bitcoin mine: hypertension, heart palpitations, chest pain, vertigo, tinnitus, migraines, panic attacks. At least 10 people went to urgent care or the emergency room with these symptoms. The development of large-scale Bitcoin mines and data centers is quite new, and most of them are housed in extremely remote places. There have been no major medical studies on the impacts of living near one. But there is an increasing body of scientific studies linking prolonged exposure to noise pollution with cardiovascular damage. And one local doctorears, nose, and throat specialist Salim Bhaloosays he sees patients with symptoms potentially stemming from the Bitcoin mine's noise on an almost weekly basis.

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I thought at first that these were the symptoms when investing in bitcoin.


Bitcoin mines crank out 70-90 decibels and it's likely the frequency spectrum that includes piercing high frequencies that could drive you and your dog nuts. Bitcoin mines can be heard up to a mile away.

Texarkana said:

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1. Since CSU is a municipal utility CSU has an obligation to serve load, I do not think you can just say no. You can effectively say no to these guys by proposing a more expensive rate.

2. Do not subsidize them at all no rate breaks, no property tax breaks, no aid in construction, nothing. These guys need to pay their share of absolutely everything Utilities, ROI, GFT, etc

3. Talk to CSU's energy supplier and understand financially how the data center will be served.

4. Realize a new large load will impact CSU's financials
a. Days cash on hand
b. Credit rating agencies view utilities with 1 massive customer as riskier
c. Credit exposure with ERCOT will go up dramatically and thus credit postings, they need to post a ton of cash with CSU

I will probably post more later

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BCS is going to double in size in the next 20 years and double again after I-14 is built. A hard no. Why don't we focus on tech startups from A&M...or God forbid a teaching/area hospital.

Valen said:

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Energy Policy Journal

I have attached a small journal article about a town real down south who had their community torn into two almost by a company coming in and, in this scenario, adding wind turbines. I found it pressing for what we are talking about because the company itself fell flat on its face with community engagement, and it caused a lot of problems. All that to say, I don't want to see that same mistake here.

I've gone ahead and attached another link here to another article from Duke research on the impact these centers have on the grid as well as the sound they produce. Very insightful.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1h6XtbmorV0J1Ac_DAv1TjrFiQQMMiYoH/view?usp=drivesdk

Just a little Bush student homework for ya,

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Texas has an isolated grid. And west and east Texas are barely connected. There's limited grid flexibility.

Of course, we could wait for the next big snowstorm to test that hypothesis. I would recommend some reading about carpetbaggers...crypto is just the next version.

Koko Chingo said:

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As of right now, for me this is a very hard NO.

Here is my TLDR version:
We need infrastructure first - power plant before data center is how the equation should work (or simultaneously)

Texas are already being burned by data centers and most don't have a clue its happening. Even when the data centers have to throttle usage ; ERCOT pays them millions to do so (our tax $$$)

Without increased power generation first, or concurrently, our electrical bills will skyrocket (that's for everyone increasing the cost of everything grocery stores also need a lot of electricity to keep things cold)

Oh, an NDA Did any member of council purchase stock in the company or associated company to the one who approached the city?

Long version:

This is where government agencies mess up. The only part of the equation they see is tax is the tax revenue. Tax revenue is the fentanyl equivalent for politicians.

If College Station wants a data center, then build a power plant first. Imagine how marketable a city would be that already has an ample electrical supply/grid. Probably wouldn't even have to offer any tax credits or incentives. They might even receive multiple bids.

Some of the scary things relating to data center is that electrical consumption and a few other things are regulated by the state. Even if the city were to ever actually acknowledge a mistake, they couldn't even legislate their way out of it.

The New Braunfels area will be an interesting case study. A datacenter is currently under construction, and it will have its own natural gas power plant. Not everyone is happy about the new datacenter but its off the grid. Here a couple links describing what's going on.
NB Article #1

NB Article #2

The power grid in Texas is connected and we do not have enough power generation locally or throughout the state. Our population and industrial growth in the state has been very rapid in recent years. A data center just about anywhere in the state without increased power generation burns all Texans. ERCOT has already paid millions for these companies to throttle energy usage.

In just one month during the August 2023 heat wave, ERCOT paid a single company Riot Platforms (1 of the Rockdale Crypto companies) $31.7 million to throttle electrical usage. We have more datacenter online since then and more coming. At that time they made more money throttling electrical usage versus mining crypto. Us Texans paid them to do nothing.

ERCOT Pays Millions To Throttle

The new SB6 can force companies to throttle back in a 'Power Emergency" and be compensated for volunteering to throttle. This is way too muddy and subjective. This seems like an area ripe for corruption and manipulation. What is the criteria for an emergency and who decides there is an emergency and for what specific geography. Can cryptocurrencies voluntarily throttle, get compensated and use specific timing to also manipulate the value?

Most people do not realize we are an hour from (currently) North Americas Largest crypto mining facility - Riot Platforms. We taxpayers have paid them more to throttle than they could generate in profit by being operational. Also in Rockdale next door is Bitdeer another crypto facility.

The Riot Platforms facility in Rockdale uses 700MW of power just to cool the facility. In perspective, the Dansby power plant on Lake Bryan has a max peak generation capacity of 206MW. If the Dansby power plant were directly plugged into the Rockdale facility it wouldn't even be able to supply 30% of its power requirements.

Riot Platforms Rockdale Facility

For the future, Rick Perry is part of something interesting brining data centers / crypto and excess power generation into Amarillo. If this model works I can see datacenter being these giant facilities in the middle of nowhere all over the US. This venture is supposed to generate 11 gigawatts of power when complete. Just plug in a DeLorean directly and time travel. That's 55 Dansby (Lake Bryan) power plants.

(lets not go down the rick perry rabbit hole. this is not an endorsement just an example)
Rick Perry's Venture

For me, as of right now for the city of College Station this is a big-time NO! Personally, I do feel like there is something to what Rick Perrys group is doing; and to some extent New Braunfels. I think the New Braunfels facility is still too close to the actual town/population.

I can see places like Ft. Stockton or Van Horn (Bezos already owns property there) with small scale nuclear and/or natural gas power plants. Except for nuclear (and some natural gas), the data centers use more electricity per square foot of floor space than the power plant can even generate per square foot of generating floor space.

Besides the power and water issues. I really don't see any currently city owned College Station property as a viable option. We don't have any real rural land far from residential housing. We couldn't even handle the noise form Amazon Drones. Now imagine a facility that cannot be moved and not regulated by the city, rather the state.

The grid is in such a mess that we shouldn't be talking about data centers in Texas for a while unless they include power generation:
Brief on the current state of the grid

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Excellent analysis. This has all the earmarks of a swindle in the form of an albatross..

mwm said:

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"Maybe because the deal is done?"

You hit the nail square on the head. Their "vote" has already been decided. Thursday night is all "for show".

The serfs are immaterial except when they are to pay their taxes.

The council is a mirror image of the knuckleheads in Washington D.C.

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The fix is in.

If this passes, recall efforts should start Friday for those who voted to enter into contract. Next is the ouster of the city manager and staff, which honestly should have been done long ago.

EliteElectric said:

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CoCS has operated as a banana republic for decades with the Big School acting as the natural resource. I've said it before and I'll say it again, without TAMU CoCS would blow away like a tumble weed. It doesn't exist because of itself it exists despite itself

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Not only greedy, but also stupid. The City Council has been selling its soul to the first bidder for decades.

maroon barchetta said:

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Bob Yancy said:

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Diddler_44 said:

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There are 50 of them in this thread that you haven't addressed. Pick one.

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The irony is so thick I could cut it with a knife. Inside city hall there are many upset I broke the news at all. And to you I'm not being forthcoming enough. I'm not going to scour this thread. If you have a question I'll try to answer it.

Have a blessed Sunday.

Respectfully

Yancy '95

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Of course they are upset. Sharing info gives the serfs time to respond.

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I mean, there's a plethora of late 20th Century Soviet architecture in this town...so.

doubledog said:

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MiMi said:

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This thread is even a hot topic on Nextdoor right now. Why isn't Rusty and KBTX covering this as a leading story? More CS citizens need to know about Thursday's meeting and let the city council members know how they feel.

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KBTX: It is only the news after it happens...

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Eyewitless News.

TAMU1990 said:

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Bob Yancy said:

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Hornbeck said:

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What's the name of this company?

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I'm not at liberty to disclose that as we may still be under an NDA. I've asked about its expiration repeatedly, but have yet to receive an answer. In either event, it would have to expire tomorrow when the agenda is posted. We have to talk about it then.

That gave me a small window between the last meeting (when we were explicitly told it was ready for public consumption) and when it gets posted tomorrow to notify you.

I waited until today to be safe. We've been talking about this since the holidays and I have issues with the constraints on transparency imposed on us with the voters, to whom my clear and unambiguous primary fiduciary duty actually rests- which I'll not forget.

Once posted, we have a city policy constraining council communication on posted agenda items (see my signature block disclaimer on this platform). Now, we violate that policy pretty routinely when we go on the radio and are asked about a posted agenda item, and I don't mean just me. But I do try to honor it, even though that policy, on advice of officeholder counsel, may violate the Open Meetings Act itself.

The bottom line is the voters aren't waiting with bated breath for an agenda to get posted so they can go see if a massive development is going to be built next to their home. You entrust us, who you voted into office, to serve as that ambassador and to keep you informed.

As for your question: virtually everything I posted before is publicly discoverable save for "potential data center at Midtown." Once that is known, all else is readily available, with effort- except their name. To know the company name, check the agenda in the morning.

Thanks!

Respectfully

Yancy '95

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Why is everything in secret? It's getting exhausting and I'm ready to vote everyone out (except you - unless you vote for this).

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As transparent as a lead brick.

Hornbeck said:

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SCHTICK00 said:

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I don't know if this is legit as it was posted on social media. It's hard to believe the city is this dumb yet they prove they are over and over. We need a doge audit to find out who's pockets are getting lined because they're certainly not looking out for the residents

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I can confirm this is 100% legit. I know the lady who posted it.

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Top coat and top hat
And I don't worry 'cause my wallet's fat

Koko Chingo said:

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A KBTX article says it an executive session and there will be no public comment.

https://www.kbtx.com/2025/09/07/college-station-city-council-discuss-potential-data-center-midtown-drive-sept-11-meeting/

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Ironic date then.

CS sent out their Neighborhood News newsletter, and it says that you have to register with the city secretary by 2 p.m. if you want to talk about topics that are on the agenda and that you can talk about topics not on the agenda during Hear Visitors.

It also says you can send written comments and they'll provide them to council members.

So, if you want to talk about the "Priority Power Real Estate Contract" (how the data center issue is listed on the agenda), you have to sign up by 2 PM? What about people who just show up at the meeting and want to talk? Are they SOL for either talking during this agenda item if they didn't sign up earlier and for speaking during Hear Visitors since it's a topic that's on the agenda?

EBrazosAg said:

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Just put the data center in Macys. Win win

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Does anyone know who is driving this?
And/or their agenda? There has to be more than meets the eye. The outpouring of opposition is immutable.

https://www.kbtx.com/app/2025/09/09/college-station-midtown-developer-residents-share-concerns-about-potential-data-center/

TAMU1990 said:

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I received a message from the petition that William Wright is supporting the real estate contract. He makes it seem there is time, but what are they voting on Thursday? I feel like there's only 3 days.

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Wright couldn't be more Wrong. My own experience with council meetings have left me with the very strong impression that William Wright says and does EXACTLY what city staff tell him to do….almost like he thinks his boss works at City Hall.

I'm not sure how a council member can think it appropriate to go against the overwhelmingly vocal wishes of the voters who put him there but this fella certainly doesn't seem to care about what the citizens of this city have to say. Pay attention to his statements during almost any council interaction and decide for yourself. It's "go along to get along" personified.