government
San Marcos becomes the first Texas city to ban data centers, testing its local control
By NBC affiliate at WOAI News 4 / News4SA (NBC affiliate) — Local
· June 30, 2026
· 1 min read
San Marcos just became the first Texas city to ban data centers citywide, citing water and energy strain. The 4-3 vote tests home-rule power as Sen. Paul Bettencourt vows a legal challenge under new state limits.
Key takeaway The 4-3 vote tests home-rule power as Sen.
Why this matters in Terrell Hills News
The move by San Marcos to ban data centers citywide has significant implications for surrounding cities like Terrell Hills , which may face similar pressures to balance economic growth with resource conservation. As the first Texas city to take such a step, San Marcos is asserting its home-rule authority, which could set a precedent for other municipalities in the state. The fact that Sen. Paul Bettencourt is already vowing a legal challenge suggests that this issue will be closely watched by state lawmakers and local governments alike. Terrell Hills residents should pay attention to how this situation unfolds, as it may inform their own city's approach to managing growth and resource usage in the future. The outcome of this challenge will have important consequences for the ability of cities like Terrell Hills to make decisions about their own development and infrastructure.
About this story
Original reporting by WOAI News 4 / News4SA (NBC affiliate) — Local . Terrell Hills News surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit WOAI News 4 / News4SA (NBC affiliate) — Local . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: government ·
Published: June 30, 2026 ·
Source: WOAI News 4 / News4SA (NBC affiliate) — Local ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? San Marcos just became the first Texas city to ban data centers citywide, citing water and energy strain. The 4-3 vote tests home-rule power as Sen. Paul Bettencourt vows a legal challenge under new state limits.
When was this published? This article was first published on June 30, 2026 by WOAI News 4 / News4SA (NBC affiliate) — Local and curated for Terrell Hills News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by NBC affiliate at WOAI News 4 / News4SA (NBC affiliate) — Local. To learn more about how Terrell Hills News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more government coverage from Terrell Hills News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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