U.S. District Judge Wingate is holding a hearing at 1:30 today on how data centers might affect Jackson's water supply. The learned jurist apparently saw WLBT's reporting on how the Horhn administration is considering allowing the construction of a data center at the Lake Hico site and couldn't resist the opportunity to do some micromanaging.
Judge Wingate sent out this notice on Saturday night:
Judge Wingate has set a status conference in this matter for Monday, July 20, 2026, at 1:30 PM in his courtroom.
The purpose of the conference is to obtain information concerning the proposed data center development at or near the former Lake Hico site in Jackson, Mississippi, and any potential implications the proposed project may have for the City of Jackson's water and wastewater systems.
All parties must be present. If you cannot appear in-person, please let the Court know and a Zoom link will be provided to you.
In order for this status conference to be productive, the parties should be prepared to answer questions concerning the following topics:
- What exactly is being proposed?
- Has the City received any formal applications/proposals concerning data center development at or near the Lake Hico site?
- What is the status of any such proposals? What is the City's approval process?
- What permits or approvals from MDEQ would be required before the project could proceed, including any permits relating to fresh drinking water withdrawals and wastewater discharges.
- Can Jackson's water and wastewater systems support such a project?
- Would approval of this project require modification of any schedules, priorities, or revenue goals previously presented to this Court?
- If the Court were to authorize water service to a large industrial user, what measurable safeguards—such as pressure thresholds, reserve capacity, or emergency curtailment provisions—will be imposed to ensure that residential and business service is not compromised?
- Would JXN Water’s ratepayers bear any portion of the costs associated with this proposed project?
That's right. Judge Wingate is now assuming control of Jackson's economic development. Geaux, Judge, geaux.
26 comments:
Somebody obviously got the Judge's ear on this one and convinced him that he's going to have a hot potato sooner or later. Is he moving too soon?
Did Wingate go to law school? Surely his professors told him he couldn't just wave his gavel like a wand and preside over issues of his choosing.
TBF, if Jackson's electorate had responsibly managed the water system he wouldn't be involved.
You are kidding, right? Wingate thinks he is the be all end all. He thinks he can do whatever he wants, and he pretty much has in respect to the JXN Water case.
Why hasn't any of the commentors or KF file a federal lawsuit on the overreach of Wingate power?
Someone needs to tell his honor that he is wearing a black robe, not a red cape.
"All parties must be present. If you cannot appear in-person, please let the Court know and a Zoom link will be provided to you. "
What if Heffin or whoever has a dr appt at this time. No option to reschedule?
All Federal Judges are experts on all topics known to mankind
This is insane. Wingate helped put us in this mess. He used a shovel and dug more and more and more
The only certainty is that Henry will drag this out forever.
This could be a blessing in disguise. Having all parties on record stating that the impacts are minimal. Takes the wind out of the "anti-everything crowd" sails.
If an economic development project affects ongoing legal proceedings, then the project is in his sandbox, subject to his playground rules.
Have a lot of respect for Judge Wingate. Over the years he has proven to be a reasoned and fair federal district court judge.
BUT in this case, he has far outraced his skis; don't know what in the hell he is thinking here but even if -- even if -- Jackson might be in the market to develop a data center site at Lake Hico or anywhere else (including the one developers have actually proposed off MED & 220) - there is no role for him at this point to even enter the discussion.
Yes, data centers can - and some do - use water. Most today are using recycled water and have little impact on either the groundwater resources or the surface water resources of the area. Here, particularly at the Lake Hico site, the ability to use surface water from the Pearl is extrodinary based on the existing (but unused) waterline from the site to the Pearl. Don't know if that is what is being considered but at this point it doesn't matter. Until there is a proposed developer, and their plans for water use is known, there is no place for the Judge to put his black robe into the discussion.
If there is to be a development and it does need water from the city's treatment plants, it would be a boom for the system, not a bust. The Curtis plant is operating at somewhere around 45 MGD today for a city that should need less than 20 MGD. IF treated water from Curtis was needed, I'm sure they would be glad to sell it to the data center, providing much needed revenue for the enterprise.
But short of impacting the city's treatment plants, there is plenty of surface water available from the reservoir, the Pearl, the Big Black, and Sparta.
Go back to your chambers Wingate, and twiddle your thumbs. At least doing so want screw up the city's efforts to increase their tax base.
These seem to be good questions that should be addressed. If there is nothing to hide, no adverse effects from these projects then there shouldn’t be any issue about the questions being asked. You can be sure the State won’t
Isn’t the immediate problem a lack of paying customers? And here comes a big one. And….no thanks.
What happened at status conference?
Lake Hico had no watershed to keep it filled. Water was pumped in from the Pearl River. You could see it flowing in near the intersection of Watkins Dr. and Forest Ave. i imagine the pipes are still in place.
2:47 hit it right on the nose. Correct.
Judge Wingate
Would you please take over the Nolan Wells investigation so we could get the autopsy reports this time next year?
If you think a data center is going to use untreated Pearl River water (instead of potable water from a city water main with a multi decade price locked contract) my buddy has a bridge in Brooklyn to sell you.
So are the so-called 'journalists' at Barksdale Today. SME's on every topic you can think of.
Doesn't OBC production exceed Jackson's supposed need volume because of leaks still remaining to be found and repaired?
2:50. Thought you might know what you were talking about until you said Sparta was surface water!!! It’s what everyone in the metro except Jackson drinks from deep water wells. And water levels in those wells are dropping drastically! The Ridgeland Amazon center is using Sparta. Mega site Amazon is using wastewater from Beatty Bluff treatment plant on the Big Black.
If the hydraulics work, JXN Water makes sense. Not from the only good aquifer we got left!!!
What cause number is this in? Wingate can’t do his actual job but wants to do extra? WTF?
1:10pm will bankroll a federal lawsuit?
Jacktown better get some water using (and BILL PAYING) new customers as the water system is too big and expensive for an ever declining (through movement and murder) base.
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