Willie Nelson blasts AI data centers as 'water thieving' threat to Texas farmland

Willie Nelson blasts 'water thieving' data centers in scathing letter

Willie Nelson, the legendary musician and activist, is setting his sights on data centers. The Abbott, Texas, native took to social media on Tuesday, July 28, criticizing the rapidly increasing facilities powering artificial intelligence, especially in his hometown. He called them "loud, water thieving" and "light polluting" in an open letter posted on X. "I grew up in Abbott, and I still have a home there with farmed land where I can still see stars at night," Nelson, 93, wrote. "And now our community, like many others, needs to fight against data centers invading our land." He continued, "The strength of rural America has never come from big industrial footprints. It comes from generations of people, open spaces, local businesses, and a connection to the land." The outlaw country star and icon has been known for his vocal support of biofuels, the working class and American farmers through his annual Farm Aid concert. Abbott, Texas, does not appear to be the site of any upcoming data centers, though the state overall is seeing a surge. "All of America deserves thoughtful stewardship that doesn't steal farmland (where our essential shared-food is grown) and small family farmers' livelihoods, and not data centers that only destroy the environment around them," Nelson added in the post, which received over 60,000 likes by Wednesday afternoon. "Whoever controls food and water, controls the masses." He continued, "Let's not allow our own demise or give up control over necessary resources in the U.S. and especially in Abbott." What are AI data centers? Data centers house computer networks and servers, which enable digital information and services. They have become increasingly vital for tech companies as technology expands, particularly in artificial intelligence and cloud computing. They have been the subject of widespread community protests, bans and moratoriums and public debate, decrying the amount of noise data centers produce as well as the amount of space and resources they take up, including electricity and water. Critics say data centers spike costs for people who live near them. A May Gallup survey reported 70% of Americans oppose the construction of data centers in their communities, with 48% in "strong opposition." In July, President Donald Trump announced that 23 governors, all Republican, have signed his non-bindingRatepayer Protection Pledge that seeks to protect households from absorbing utility costs tied to data centers. Major utility companies and data center developers have also signed the pledge, as electricity costs are up by about 4% from 2025 and energy costs have increased by 16%. Contributing: Greta Cross and Joey Garrison, USA TODAY

Willie Nelson Lays Out Why Data Centers Are 'The Last Thing' America Needs

Willie Nelson is calling on Americans to oppose the construction of data centers that support artificial intelligence, a matter that's fueled environmental concerns across the country. The country music icon -- in a social media post on Tuesday -- referred to his upbringing in Abbott, Texas, a city where he still has a home with farmland where he "can still see stars at night." "And now our community, like many others, needs to fight against data centers invading our land. The last thing we need is a loud, water thieving, light polluting, data center anywhere near our town (or any others for that matter)," he stressed. "The strength of rural America has never come from big industrial footprints. It comes from generations of people, open spaces, local businesses, and a connection to the land." Nelson is a longtime environmentalist who, along with John Mellencamp and Neil Young, founded Farm Aid, a concert to benefit American farmers. His message arrives amid a data center boom in Texas that's seen community pushback near the singer-songwriter's hometown and beyond. With demand for data centers in Texas expected to double by 2028 and the Lone Star State poised to have the world's largest market for such facilities by 2030, local opponents to their construction have warned that the projects will lead to an overconsumption of water and electricity while also causing pollution and noise. The issue has crept into political races, as well, with Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R), who is running for reelection this year, recently calling for a ban on data center development in rural neighborhoods, a notable shift from several months before when he referred to his state as the "epicenter of AI development." A majority of Americans are opposed to the construction of data centers in their communities, per the results of a Reuters/Ipsos poll shared last month. Nelson, in his message on social media, emphasized that America deserves "thoughtful stewardship that doesn't steal farmland (where our essential shared-food is grown) and small family farmers' livelihoods, and not data centers that only destroy the environment around them." "Whoever controls food and water, controls the masses," he wrote. "Let's not allow our own demise or give up control over necessary resources in the U.S. and especially in Abbott."

Willie Nelson says Americans must fight 'water thieving' AI data centers 'invading' Texas farmland

Willie Nelson urged Americans to think again when it comes to building the future. Nelson, 93, encouraged followers to "fight against data centers invading our land" in a social media plea shared Tuesday. The country music legend reflected on being able to see "stars at night" in his Texas hometown, but that light pollution and "water thieving" were imminent in a looming industrial climate. "I grew up in Abbott, and I still have a home there with farmed land where I can still see stars at night," Nelson told his followers. "And now our community, like many others, needs to fight against data centers invading our land. "The last thing we need is a loud, water thieving, light polluting, data center anywhere near our town (or any others for that matter)." The "On the Road Again" singer noted how "the strength of rural America has never come from big industrial footprints." "It comes from generations of people, open spaces, local businesses, and a connection to the land," Nelson wrote. "All of America deserves thoughtful stewardship that doesn't steal farmland (where our essential shared-food is grown) and small family farmers' livelihoods, and not data centers that only destroy the environment around them. "Whoever controls food and water, controls the masses. Let's not allow our own demise or give up control over necessary resources in the U.S. and especially in Abbott." Nelson's a longtime environmental advocate and has raised more than $90 million through his Farm Aid nonprofit, which he co-founded with John Mellencamp and Neil Young more than four decades ago. The charity was first formed in 1985 to raise awareness about the loss of family farms and to raise funds to keep farm families on the land. On Tuesday, Gov. Greg Abbott called for a ban on data center developments in rural Texas. "We must prohibit them from building AI data centers in rural Texas neighborhoods," he said on a campaign stop in Bullard, according to The Texas Tribune. "I made clear already: Any AI data center even thinking about coming here -- they got to bring their own money, bring their own power, reuse their own water and do it in a way that reduces the cost of electricity for residents across our state. "We must eliminate the tax break they are getting. They must be responsible for funding their own projects here in Texas. We will get that done."