Willie Nelson, the 93-year-old country music legend and longtime environmental advocate, has urged Americans to reconsider the expansion of AI data centers in rural areas, particularly in Texas. Nelson expressed concern over the environmental consequences, including light pollution and "water thieving," that these industrial facilities bring to farmland communities.

Nelson, who grew up in Abbott, Texas, and still owns farmed land there, shared on social media that he can "still see stars at night" in his hometown but warned that this is under threat. He emphasized the need for communities to "fight against data centers invading our land."

On a campaign stop in Bullard, Texas, Nelson stated, "We must prohibit them from building AI data centers in rural Texas neighborhoods," according to the Texas Tribune. He highlighted the importance of protecting rural environments from the industrial climate that these centers represent.

Nelson co-founded the Farm Aid nonprofit in 1985 with John Mellencamp and Neil Young, an organization that has raised more than $90 million to support farmers and rural communities.

His plea comes amid growing concerns about the environmental footprint of data centers, which require significant water and energy resources.

Sources