Leon County Precinct 4 Commissioner and Marquez Volunteer Fire Department Fire Chief Thomas Jefferson (TJ) Foley sent a letter to multiple state and federal officials expressing strong opposition to the proposed Kahla Project and similar large-scale industrial energy developments in Leon County.

Recipients include the Governor of Texas, U.S. Senators, U.S. Congressman, state legislators, TXDOT offices, and statewide fire and fire marshal associations.

Summary of the Letter

In the letter, Commissioner Foley:

  • States he is strongly opposed to data centers, battery energy storage facilities (BESS), coin mining, and large solar and wind farms in Leon County.
  • Describes Leon County as an agricultural community and expresses concern about rural land being converted into industrial sites.
  • Confirms a large data center called the Kahla Project is proposed off FM 1146 near Marquez, Texas, and states it would be among the largest in the United States if built.
  • Explains that local volunteer fire departments do not have the manpower, equipment, or training to respond to a disaster at a facility of this scale.
  • States that before any center of this size is developed, the company should be required to provide all necessary emergency equipment and training.
  • Raises major traffic and roadway safety concerns, including:
    • US Highway 79
    • FM 1146
    • FM 1512
    • FM 1469
    • County Roads 381, 382, 383, 384, and 344
  • Requests that TXDOT investigate Farm-to-Market roads and that no approvals occur unless the company pays 100% of required roadway improvements.
  • Warns that agricultural land is disappearing rapidly and that long-term food production is being threatened.
  • Expresses concern about runoff, groundwater contamination, and disposal of industrial equipment.
  • Asks state and federal leaders to place a stop or pause on these types of projects until health, environmental, and long-term impacts are fully understood.

Why This Matters

This letter documents that:

  • A sitting Leon County commissioner and fire chief has formally warned higher-level officials about the risks of the Kahla Project.
  • Serious concerns exist regarding fire protection, roads, water, agriculture, and environmental safety.
  • Local officials are asking for these projects to be halted until proper safeguards and factual studies are completed.

Source Document

The full letter is available for public review:

👉 Commissioner Foley Letter to Officials (PDF)