Neighbors are challenging two state construction stormwater permits tied to a proposed Cedar Creek data center development, while Bastrop County commissioners tabled a request for expanded authority over large-scale industrial projects.
How we got here
Filed with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality in mid-July, the permits identify a 304-acre portion of the larger 2,842-acre data center and Pacifico Energy power development at 382 Earl Callahan Road in Cedar Creek as the BCG Cedar Creek Campus, headed by Black Chamber Partners—an affiliate of hyperscale data center developer BlackChamber Group.Filed with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, permits identify a 304-acre portion of the broader 2,842-acre data center and Pacifico Energy power development as the BCG Cedar Creek Campus headed by Black Chamber Partners—an affiliate of hyperscale data center developer BlackChamber Group.
What's happening?
Jamey and Julie Jenkins and Jereme and Katie Lewis, whose properties are surrounded by the proposed development, filed separate motions July 20 asking TCEQ to overturn the permits, which were issued to Black Chamber and Pacifico Energy.
The couples raised concerns about drainage, hydrology and stormwater runoff, adding that the permits “authorize large-scale land changes before adjacent landowners have had the opportunity to review the final drainage plans.”
What else?
Bastrop County Commissioners on Aug. 10 again tabled a resolution that would declare the county's limited authority and ask the Texas Legislature for expanded powers over large-scale industrial projects, such as data centers.
Michele Gangnes, co-founder of the League of Independent Voters of Texas, urged commissioners to delay the measure, saying “the subject matter is too important to not get it right.”
She argued that broadly declaring the county has little regulatory power could weaken its position if it later wanted to pause a project using fire-safety reviews, drainage approvals and more. She also warned of potential litigation from future developers, noting that the county “should not tie its hands.”
As previously reported by Community Impact, County Judge Gregory Klaus said the county's authority is largely limited when a project meets existing legal requirements.
What's next?
TCEQ has not posted a ruling on the challenges.
According to TCEQ, the agency generally has 45 days to act on a motion to overturn; if it does not, the motion is denied.
The Black Chamber permit lists an estimated construction period of Sept. 1, 2026, through Oct. 1, 2028.
Bastrop County spokesperson Lyndsey Schroeder said the tabled resolution will return during the Aug. 24 meeting at 9 a.m. in the Bastrop County Courthouse at 804 Pecan St.
Learn more
About 7 miles away, EdgeConneX is developing three data center campuses spanning nearly 1,500 acres.
Community Impact previously reported that AI cloud company CoreWeave is expected to occupy EdgeConneX’s first $440 million data center building, which is expected to open this month.
