Letters — Data centers, barratry, climate change, football

Denton is confronting a question communities across Texas will increasingly face: What happens when private development requires infrastructure on the scale of a small city? Data centers bring investment, but being pro-business should not mean giving particular businesses special treatment. Texas should neither ban nor subsidize data centers. Companies creating extraordinary infrastructure demands should bear the costs they create rather than shifting those risks to homeowners and small businesses. The Legislature should protect ratepayers from stranded infrastructure costs, reconsider special data-center tax exemptions and preserve local authority over genuine local concerns such as land use, noise, water and drainage. Texas should manage the statewide electric grid. Austin should not become Denton's zoning board. If a data center makes economic sense, let investors build it and let communities establish reasonable rules. But let the people proposing the project pay their own way. Darren Hamilton, Little Elm Libertarian candidate for Texas House District 57 As a Keller resident, I'm concerned about the rapid growth of data centers in North Texas, including the one proposed in neighboring Westlake. The issue isn't technology or economic development; it's the lack of transparency about their enormous demands for water and electricity. When data center developers fail to provide reliable projections of water and energy use, municipalities can't determine whether existing infrastructure can support them or what costly upgrades will be necessary. Residents are then left to wonder: How much water will it use? How much electricity? Will our infrastructure handle it? And who will pay for the upgrades? Texas must require data centers to disclose projected water and electricity consumption, infrastructure impacts and financial responsibilities before permits are approved. That information should be public and independently verifiable so residents and local officials can make informed decisions. Keller and Westlake deserve transparency and accountability, not development decisions made behind closed doors. If a project can't withstand public scrutiny, it shouldn't receive public approval. Andrea Christgau, Keller Re: "Juror reject barratry claim — Four-day trial ended with verdict after 25 minutes of deliberation," Aug. 28 news story. Despite the jury's decision in this case, your reporting on barratry raises some concerning issues about vulnerable families being approached by lawyers or intermediaries while grieving after an accident. Texas has long prohibited improper solicitation, sometimes called 'ambulance chasing.' Yet, and as your story notes, the growth of social media tactics used by some lead generation intermediaries can skirt – if not cross – the line on barratry. If third parties or other intermediaries are circumventing the law, then the Legislature should revisit our barratry statutes to address this and strengthen penalties. This kind of solicitation is not what families need in the time of tragedy. Robert Wood, Austin Texans Against Lawsuit Abuse Re: "Epstein files remind us justice is not blind — Too often, justice favors the well-connected," by Peter Johnson, Thursday Opinion. Wow, just wow. Johnson nailed it. It is way past time for accountability to show its unbiased face. No accountability for Jan. 6 yet because over 1,500 arrested Capitol rioters were issued full pardons. We still have no one being held accountable. And now, the Epstein files and no full accountability for those who were involved. Come on, America. We can't continue to sweep these kinds of major indiscretions under the rug. This lack of holding people accountable does not meet minimum Department of Justice standards nor is it blind justice. Jeff Foster, Carrollton In school, we studied the Korean War. One of the main reasons North Korea was able to force us to accept a stalemate outcome was that they were solidly supported by China. China provided them with war material and funds. During the Vietnam catastrophe, China provided much help to North Vietnam. The result was that the United States gave up and fled the conflict. And now, we read that China is providing a growing amount of assistance to Iran. Regretfully, I am not sure that the Trump administration pays any attention to history or cares to learn from it. Thomas Kelly, Lantana 'Hundreds feared dead in devastating Nepal flood' is the latest news in what seem to be almost daily reports of severe climate events. Climate change is increasing the likelihood and severity of many extreme weather events, underscoring the need for much stronger preventive action. Animal agriculture is a major contributor to climate change, an existential global threat. Cattle emit large quantities of methane, a particularly potent greenhouse gas, while enormous amounts of land are devoted to grazing and growing animal feed. Reducing consumption of animal products would enable significant reforestation. The increase in carbon-absorbing trees would reduce the current hazardous level of atmospheric carbon dioxide to a much safer level. It's time for action. Dustin Erwinger, Dallas The changing of the seasons is different in Texas. We don't mark the beginning of fall by our leaves changing into glorious colors, or by the crisp morning air. Our trees often turn from green to brown to bare. Our mornings still hover at 80. But we hear the sound of fall. Friday night I could hear the announcer describing the action and the band leading the charge at a neighborhood high school football game. A good drum line brings back memories of decades of going to high school football in Texas. My parents took me as a little girl, and for years I believed the shoulder pads were real muscles. We took our children when they were small and could run around and play under the bleachers, reveling in their freedom. We had season tickets to their high school football games. As grandparents, we have come back to games. Some things should be on everyone's bucket list. Watching the Brownwood Lions play in Gordon Wood Stadium. Watching the Trinity Trojans' Haka dance. And preserving our public schools. Jean Surratt Humphreys, Arlington