The Data Center Divide
A policy snapshot ahead of the 2026 midterms. Mapping data center incentives, restrictions, and bans through legislation, regulations, and executive actions across all 50 states and 1,462 local jurisdictions.
Wise County
Neutral Data Center Policies
Wise County has enacted a resolution urging state lawmakers to consider safeguards, reporting, and impact studies and opposing some water-intensive cooling systems; it creates no binding rules for data centers.
current law · Unincorporated areasThe Wise County Commissioners Court resolution opposes large-scale data centers using open-loop evaporative cooling or other high-volume potable-water technologies in water-constrained regions unless sustainable water supply and mitigation safeguards are demonstrated.Wise County Data Center Resolution (2026)
What this means
The resolution asks state lawmakers to consider safeguards, reporting, and impact studies, and opposes certain water-intensive cooling systems. But it does not itself create binding rules or stop data centers from being built or operated, so its direct effect is not meaningful.
People behind it
- Wise County Commissioners Court
Proposed and unanimously approved the resolution seeking state action on data-center development.
Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements3
Opposes large-scale, high-continuous-load data centers in water-constrained regions that use open-loop cooling or other high-volume potable-water technologies, unless the developer demonstrates a sustainable water supply and mitigation safeguards.
Calls for mandatory public reporting of projected electricity and water use by proposed data centers.
Calls for independent impact studies addressing grid reliability, water availability, environmental effects, and potential costs to local taxpayers before proposed data-center development.
Sources
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