Page 8 - HH_9_25

Part 1BFy Lou Dugganive years... 2030. Think about howfast the last 5 years have gone by.Well, in just 5 years, life... as you know it today... is going to change. Water and electricity shortages are going to change it.Currently, Texas hosts 279 operational data centers—ranging from campuses by Meta, Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Digital Realty, QTS, and Equinix to dozens of crypto- mining sites. Combined, these facilities consume over 400 million gallons of water annually, primarily for evaporative cooling, while consuming roughly 781 Megawatts (MW) of electricity from the Texas grid. As Texas is set to welcome a wave of new mega-campuses and expansions, serious concerns arise regarding water resources and our electric grid.Texas residents are already facing mounting water shortages from drought and population growth. In a severe‐drought scenario, by 2030, the Texas State Water Plan forecasts a 4.7-million-acre‐foot annual shortfall. Regions are already enforcing outdoor‐watering limits and construction moratoria as reservoirs and aquifers dip below critical levels.Meanwhile, data centers alone are projected to consume 49 billion gallons of water in 2025 and 399 billion gallons byTexas... You’ve Got Five Years2030, about 6.6 percent of statewide use. No current law caps their water withdrawals, only disclosure requirements exist for facilities over 5 MW. Realistically, only 10–20 percent of new Texas data‐center builds may adopt significant water‐reuse by 2030, unless regulatory incentives and funding accelerate sharply.Electricity demand from these centers has helped drive the Texas grid’s projected peak load increase from 85 GW in 2024 to as much as 218 GW by 2031 (a 256% growth in 7 years), with data centers accounting for a growing share of that growth. ERCOT has already approved more than 5,496 MW of new large-use centers with an additional 56,458 MW pending, suggesting data- center demand could double large-user load by 2030.Our RegionAs Texas braces for growing water and energy challenges by 2030, our region— Comal, Bexar, and Kendall Counties— stands at a crossroads. San Antonio’s energy demand is soaring, and the Edwards Aquifer is under stress. Canyon Lake is under severe demand pressure, and without more rain, water restrictions will be tightening again. With new developments on hold due to water concerns Comal, Bexar, and Kendall Counties urgently need more reliable waterservice, fewer restrictions, and room for responsible growth.However, with smart investments and policy changes by our leaders, we can protect our communities, keep costs manageable, and preserve the Hill Country way of life. Statewide actions that could help: 1) Boosting water reuse from just 1.5% to 15–25% would ease pressure on lakes and aquifers. 2) Offering tax credits for rainwater harvesting and stormwater capture would help. 3) Allowing water rights to be traded so surplus water could flow where it is needed. 4) Exploring desalination and pipeline projects could diversify water sources. 5) Requiring backup power for large users like data centers would help reduce grid strain. 6) Expanding transmission lines could bring clean wind and solar energy into the city. 7) Rolling out smart meters and time-of-use pricing could reward off-peak energy use. 8) Increasing water efficiency in new buildings would protect aquifer levels. 9) Creating reuse systems would help towns with infrastructure needs. 10) Requiring drought- tolerant landscaping in new developments to reduce demand. 11) Upgrading aging water systems with expanded state funding is needed. 12) Building regional wastewater facilities could replace failing septic systems. The Bottom Line—5 YearsBy pursuing a coordinated package of infrastructure builds, regulatory updates, and market incentives, Texas could materially improve upon the baseline 2030 projections—easing pressure on family budgets, helping businesses stay competitive, and safeguarding property values. By working together—local leaders, residents, and state policymakers—we can build a future that is more secure, affordable, and sustainable.5 Years... These changes are not just about infrastructure, they are about protecting our homes, businesses, and natural heritage.By Sally KalosOn September 4, 2025, Ruth M. Gonzales marks eight years as Executive Director of WINGS—a 100% privately funded 501(c)(3) dedicated to providing no-cost, comprehensive breast cancer care to uninsured women living at or below 250% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines and ineligible for government assistance.Founded in 1999, WINGS bridges the gap between breast cancer detection and life-saving treatment, covering everything from chemotherapy and radiation to transportation, prosthetics, and education. The organization has achieved a 95% survival rate among participants—14% higher than the national average—and has provided care to more than 20,000 women.Ruth’s connection to WINGS began in 2017 when a friend suggested she apply for the Executive Director position. A breast cancer survivor herself, Ruth felt it was more than a job—it was a calling. After prayer and reflection, she accepted, committing herself fully to the mission.What sets WINGS apart is its status as the only non-profit in the region offering comprehensive, no-cost breast cancer care to uninsured women who qualify.Ruth M. Gonzales, Executive Director of WINGS.Long-standing partnerships with medical providers ensure that every patient—no matter the stage of her diagnosis—receives world-class treatment, medications, and supportive services.The organization’s roots trace back to founder Terri B. Jones, who, after her own mastectomy, met a woman unable to afford follow-up treatment. Terri and her oncologist, Dr. Katherine L. Safford, secured support from Methodist Healthcare Ministries, creating WINGS to ensure no woman faced such a choice again.Beyond treatment, WINGS provides translation services, transportation, educational workshops, and emotionalPost pic with patients after a monthly Wings for Life Survivorship Program workshop designed to educate participants regarding heart health and the impacts of pre- and post-chemo/ radiation treatments supporting overall wellness.WINGS ~ Bridges The Gap Between Breast Cancer Detection & Life-Saving Treatments To Uninsuredsupport—offering dignity and hope alongside medical care. As Ruth notes, “When a woman survives breast cancer, the impact ripples across generations.”ThisyearmarksWINGS’25thanniversary. Their Silver WINGS Celebration will be held December 11, 2025, at the historic San Antonio Women’s Club Mansion to honor the women served, the partners involved, and the mission that saves lives.But challenges remain. The metastatic breast cancer population is at an all-time high, with more than 75 women currentlyon the waitlist. Rising treatment costs and the intensive work of guiding each patient’s journey make community support more critical than ever.“If you have a passion for life, we invite you to join us,” Ruth says. “Your talents, treasures, and time can ensure no woman faces breast cancer alone.”Every dollar counts. Every life matters.Texas WINGS www.texaswings.orgFB: texaswings | IG: texaswingssa8www.heloteshighlights.comSeptember 2025