Bess

One of our county commissioners recently toured a data center campus in Allen, Texas that is approximately 50 megawatts in size. I was not present for that tour, and I have only heard second-hand accounts. So rather than attributing specific statements, I want to frame this carefully: If a commissioner believes that a proposed 1,500+ megawatt data center and energy complex in Leon County would be “no big deal” based on a visit to a 50 megawatt facility, that belief is based on a flawed comparison. ...

If Leon County is going to host large-scale battery energy storage systems (BESS), hyperscale data centers, or major solar projects, one thing must be non-negotiable: Developers must prove compliance with nationally recognized fire and life-safety standards before approvals, abatements, or construction proceed. These standards already exist. The question is whether Leon County will require them. This post provides: The specific national fire codes that apply to BESS and data centers Direct links so anyone can verify them A practical explanation of how enforcement works in rural counties A clarification of misinformation being spread about fire codes and small businesses Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) NFPA 855 — Installation of Stationary Energy Storage Systems NFPA 855 is the primary U.S. standard written specifically for stationary energy storage systems, including lithium-ion BESS. ...

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: ...

In this first episode of the Know Leon County podcast, I walk through how we first learned about the proposed data center and battery storage projects in Leon County. I cover: How the initial Amazon rumor started What research showed (and didn’t show) Discovering the Kahla Data Center and Storage projects A phone call with the County Judge that revealed four total projects How residents organized quickly to share information Where to go to stay informed as this continues Watch Episode 1 Prefer to watch on YouTube? You can also view the episode directly on YouTube here: 👉 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZ3E88NIAp4 ...

One of the most common frustrations I hear from residents is this: “These projects just show up out of nowhere.” To be clear, the County Judge and Commissioners are following the law. Agendas are posted. Notices are made. Documents are public. The problem isn’t legality — it’s accessibility. Most residents don’t know where to look, when to look, or what matters when they do find it. That gap is what creates distrust, confusion, and anger — even when rules are technically followed. ...