Glossary
Technical terms and definitions related to the San Angelo data center project
Hyperscale Data Center
EnergyA massive facility typically exceeding 100,000 sq ft, designed to support large-scale cloud computing and AI workloads.
Example
The proposed SA1 campus would span ~350 acres with 6 buildings.
Closed-Loop Cooling
EnergyA cooling system that recirculates the same water without continuous withdrawal from municipal sources, using only a one-time fill plus small makeup water.
Example
SA1 proposes closed-loop air-cooled technology requiring only 3% annual makeup water.
Gigawatt (GW)
NoiseA unit of electrical power equal to one billion watts. 1 GW can power approximately 750,000 homes.
Example
The proposed SA1 campus is rated at 1.2 GW of power capacity.
dBA (Decibel A-weighted)
EnergyA measure of sound level adjusted for human hearing sensitivity. Normal conversation is ~60 dBA; a lawnmower is ~85 dBA.
Example
SA1 draft ordinance caps noise at 60 dBA daytime, 55 dBA nighttime at property lines.
CIAC (Contribution in Aid of Construction)
EnvironmentA payment made by a customer to a utility company to fund infrastructure upgrades required to serve that customer.
Example
SA1 would fund its own grid upgrades through CIAC payments to AEP.
PIA (Public Information Act)
EnvironmentTexas law granting citizens the right to request public records from government entities. The city must respond within 10 business days.
Example
Residents can file PIA requests for water studies, contracts, and environmental assessments.
Evaporative Cooling
EnergyA traditional cooling method that consumes large amounts of water through evaporation — the opposite of closed-loop systems.
Example
Traditional data centers using evaporative cooling can consume 1.5–9 million gallons of water daily.
Tax Abatement
NoiseA temporary reduction or elimination of property taxes granted by a government to attract economic development.
Example
The city is negotiating tax abatement terms with Skybox as part of the development agreement.
Setback
LegalA required minimum distance between a structure and a property line, road, or other boundary.
Example
SA1 draft ordinance requires a 200-foot setback from residential zones.
NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement)
LegalA legal contract preventing parties from sharing confidential information. NDAs can limit public transparency about project terms.
Example
Community concerns include NDAs limiting disclosure of SA1 contract details.
Rezoning
LegalThe process of changing the official land-use designation of a property, allowing different types of development.
Example
The SA1 site required rezoning from agricultural to industrial/commercial use.
AEP (American Electric Power)
PlanningThe electric utility serving San Angelo and most of West Texas, responsible for transmission and distribution infrastructure.
Example
AEP would need to upgrade substations to supply power to the SA1 campus.
Urban Heat Island
PlanningA phenomenon where developed areas are significantly warmer than surrounding rural areas due to human activities and infrastructure.
Example
Critics cite potential +16°F temperature increases near the SA1 facility.
Brownout
InfrastructureA partial reduction in electrical power, typically caused by excessive demand on the grid, resulting in lower voltage and dimmed lights.
Example
Residents fear SA1's power demand could cause brownouts during peak Texas summer heat.
Stargate Project
TechnologyA major AI infrastructure initiative involving Microsoft, OpenAI, and SoftBank, with a large campus being built in Abilene, Texas.
Example
Abilene's Stargate campus spans 1,000+ acres vs. SA1's ~350 acres.
Skybox Data Centers
CommunityThe developer proposing the SA1 data center campus in San Angelo, specializing in hyperscale facilities.
Example
Skybox submitted the SA1 development proposal to the City of San Angelo.
Makeup Water
EconomicsWater added to a closed-loop cooling system to replace small amounts lost to evaporation or maintenance.
Example
SA1's closed-loop system is capped at 3% annual makeup water.
Economic Output
PlanningThe total value of goods and services produced in an economy, often used to measure the impact of a development project.
Example
SA1 projects $29B+ in economic output over the multi-year construction and development period.
Abilene Effect
InfrastructureA community concern that large construction booms cause permanent inflation and housing shortages even after the project is complete.
Example
Critics point to Abilene's Stargate construction as a cautionary example for San Angelo.
Buffer Zone
EconomicsA designated area of land between a data center and residential zones, required to reduce noise, visual, and environmental impacts.
Example
SA1 draft ordinance requires ground-mounted equipment to be prohibited near residential zones.