A rural county in Texas approved a one-year moratorium on the construction of new data centers in unincorporated areas.

Hill County, roughly 55 miles south of Fort Worth, appears to be the first county in the Lone Star State to push back against the data center boom.

County commissioners voted 3-2 to approve the pause after hours of public debate.

More from The Texas Tribune:

Residents and local officials had aired concerns about how a proposed 300-acre development by the Dallas-based developer, Provident Data Centers in north Hillsboro could impact the quality of life in the rural county through noise pollution and consuming large amounts of water and electricity.

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“The data center folks have found a sweet spot in the state that has limited regulations, limited enforcement, limited code, and they’re coming faster than we can keep up with,” said Hill County Commissioner Jim Holcomb. “I think it’s imperative … that we tap the brakes and we get our arms around what we’re faced with and do the research, do the studies.”

Holcomb, who voted for the pause, said the move was in “no way, shape or form a push to impair anyone’s right to do with their own property what they want to do with it.”

County Judge Shane Brassell said the temporary pause will allow officials time to study the effects of data centers before projects move forward.

“We need all that you guys can do to stop this and speak for us,” one resident said during an open forum, according to Chron.

“Your county is trying to speak and they need you to step in and do whatever it is possible that you can do to shut this down,” the resident added.

Hill County is among a few in Texas considering legislation to push back against data center development across the state.

Chron explained further:

Before Tuesday’s decision, Texans pushing back on data center proposals in their counties have continually pointed to Van Zandt County.

In February, commissioners in Van Zandt, which is located about 50 miles east of Dallas, passed an indefinite moratorium on all green energy projects until the Texas attorney general could review their impacts.

Marie Egyed, executive director of Grimes County Citizens for Responsible Development, and Daniel McCoslin, founder of Citizens for Responsible Growth in Leon County, recently told Chron the Van Zandt County moratorium set a precedent for counties hoping to slow the influx of industrial projects.

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In recent months, other Texas counties, such as Hood and Hays, have reportedly considered similar moratoriums on data centers.

However, pushback from state leaders led to Hood County commissioners rejecting the proposed pause, according to the Texas Tribune.

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