Protecting Land and Legacy
Too often, our legislators ignore the long-term fallout of industrial sites in their haste for tax revenue. Heavy industry zones like AI centers, Crypto data centers, Battery Energy Storage Systems (B.E.S.S.) can inflict permanent harm on residents, property, livestock, and our local natural ecosystems. Review the Eight Pillars of Impact for details.
Eight Pillars of Impact
Water Impact
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Groundwater depletion
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Reduced availability for farmers and residents
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Higher water costs
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Competing priority access during drought conditions
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Potential risks to water quality and local ecosystems
Air & Environmental Impact
- Polluted air
- Diesel emissions & greenhouse gas output from generators
- Methane gas turbine nitrogen oxide/carbon monoxide emissions
- Heat output contributing to localized environmental changes
Land & Property Impact
- Declining property values
- Noise impacts to nearby homes and livestock
- Strain on local roads and infrastructure
- Heavy construction and long-term disruption
Financial Impact
- Higher utility costs (water and electricity)
- Increased taxes for road repairs, infrastructure upgrades, tax abatements
- Reduced land and home values
- Extremely high costs to generate a few, short-term jobs
- Increased tax burden on community without equal revenue to offset costs
Energy Impact
- Extremely high, continuous electricity demand
- Increased strain on area power grids
- Rise in electricity costs for residents
- Reliance on external power sources
- Chronic infrastructure & technology upgrades
- Unsightly substations/transmission lines
Health Impact
- Sleep disruption and stress from noise emissions
- Frontal brain damage to children & developing fetuses
- Headaches and fatigue; hearing damage
- Breathing issues related to dust or emissions
- Increase in infertility
- Increase in respiratory diseases
Infrastructure Impact
- Overload of local roads from construction and traffic
- Accelerated road wear and increased maintenance needs
- Pressure on existing utilities (power, water, and communications systems)
- Strain on emergency services: fire, EMS and law enforcement
Livestock / Wildlife Impact
- Increased stress on animals from noise and activity
- Water pollutants and emissions compromising herd health
- Reduction of reproductive performance
- Displacement of local wildlife due to development and habitat loss
- Reduced chicken laying production
- Hurts pollinators: bees, birds, butterflies
Real Stories from Rural Texans
“Behind every AI data center or Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) facility proposal is a real community that has to live with the consequences. These are the stories of rural Texans who are asking hard questions, protecting their land, and standing up for their neighbors.”
"Grayson County resident Mason McCallister raised the alarm about a battery company with a hidden agenda in his community. By speaking up, Mason helped neighbors see what was really at stake and pushed local leaders to take a closer look."
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Have a story like Mason’s? Email us at info@saverurultexas.com with your name, county, and what’s happening in your area.