Beacon Answers Darby’s Questions on Dove Creek Data Center

SAN ANGELO, TX -- Beacon Data Centers has responded to State Rep. Drew Darby’s questions about its proposed Westline Energy & Infrastructure Campus near Dove Creek in Tom Green County, outlining plans for on-site power generation, limited water use from an existing right, and community commitments.

The Oct. 21 letter, signed by CEO David Lane and Executive Vice President Joseph Shovlin, comes after Gov. Greg Abbott directed the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to halt review of Beacon’s pending permit applications for the site. Darby shared the full response and noted the governor’s directive, which followed Abbott’s broader September order pausing data-center permits while ERCOT and other agencies review grid and water impacts. 

Beacon said the roughly 1,240-buildable-acre site about a quarter-mile south of U.S. 67 on FM 2335 along Spring Creek will generate its primary power with natural-gas reciprocating engines equipped with emissions controls and will not draw from the grid for primary power. Any future interconnection would require ERCOT approval and advance notice to the county. The company described the project as self-supplied and behind-the-meter.

On water, Beacon projected average annual use of about 55 acre-feet — less than half the volume of an existing certificated surface water right associated with the property that has been held since 1929 for the Spring Creek reservoir. Water would come from that right through a closed-loop cooling system with only small makeup volumes. The company said the project introduces no new water draws, will not use groundwater, brackish water or desalination for cooling or process water, and anticipates no drawdown of the local aquifer or effects on neighboring agricultural wells. It noted that earlier statements about brackish groundwater had created confusion and were incorrect. 

Beacon estimated a multibillion-dollar capital investment, more than 1,200 construction jobs at peak and 300 or more permanent operations positions, along with millions of dollars annually in county tax revenue. It proposed formalizing commitments in a development agreement with Tom Green County that would include local hiring and contracting targets, support for local fire and EMS needs, a road-use agreement with designated haul routes and financial security for upgrades, and a local investment fund developed with community input. Before construction of power-generation facilities, Beacon said it would provide a written decommissioning and site-restoration plan with financial security so the county bears no risk. It projected an operating life exceeding 30 years. 

The project remains at the preliminary site plan and permitting stage. Air permit applications were submitted to TCEQ on June 12; a draft permit would open a second public comment period and the public meeting Darby requested. A water change-of-use application is before TCEQ. Land grading and watershed work may begin as early as January 2027 under separate permits, but power-generation construction would not start until the final air permit is obtained. 

Beacon said it will establish a community liaison reachable at [email protected], form an advisory group including Dove Creek and Knickerbocker residents, and support and attend a TCEQ public meeting in Tom Green County. It apologized for the delay in responding to Darby’s Aug. 10 and Oct. 8 letters and said it remains open to meeting with him and county officials. 

Darby said he appreciates the governor’s attention to community concerns and invited residents to send comments, questions, or criticisms to [email protected] or (325) 658-7313 so he can share them directly with Beacon. He had previously called on the company to withdraw its permits, citing lack of communication.