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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.Ronald Reagan Team Wins Army JROTC National Drill CompetitionBTy Submitted By MSG(R) John A. Tijerina, Army Instructor, JROTChe Ronald Reagan High School King emphasized the competitivenessDrill Team from San Antonio, within the JROTC drill landscape.Texas, won first place in the Armed “This is our largest Army only drillteam showed improvement from their 2024 performance, where they finished 4th overall in the Armed Division.Cadet Julian Martinez, the team’s commander, praised his team for their growth over the last year."This victory feels surreal,” said Martinez. “My team and I worked extremely hard and knowing how much it paid off, really puts into perspective that you can achieve anything with hard work and support from your peers.”The competition featured cadetscompeting in six categories of drill in either the Armed or Unarmed division: Inspection, Regulation, Color Guard, Exhibition, Solo Exhibition, and Dual Exhibition.Teams from around the country are nominated each year to represent their schools at the national event based on past performance or qualifying regional events held by the eight brigades that make up U.S. Army Cadet Command.The team's coach, retired U.S. Army Master Sgt. John Tijerina, reflected on theJROTC - continued on page 12 September 2025Division of the Army JROTC National Drill Championships held May 2nd at the Ocean Center. Their exceptional precision and teamwork set them apart, earning them the top spot over 45 other teams in the division.Brig. Gen. Steven King, Deputy Commanding General, U.S. Army Cadet Command, presented the coveted trophy to the Ronald Reagan team. In his address,10competition. Out of thousands of teams across the country, approximately 70 schools were selected to compete here today,” said King. “While we’re here tonight to recognize the award winners, getting to this level of a competition is an accomplishment all of you should be proud of. It took incredible talent, dedication, hard work, and skill to make it to today’s nationals.” The Ronald Reaganwww.stoneoakhighlights.com