Overview
- A University of Texas at Austin poll released this week found 56% of Texans oppose building data centers in their communities, a result that has intensified political pressure on state leaders.
- State hearings in Austin this week showed operators largely failed to respond to agency surveys, with the Texas Water Development Board reporting a 17% response rate and the Public Utility Commission logging 28 companies covering 92 facilities.
- Gov. Greg Abbott directed regulators to stop ratepayers from paying for data center power upgrades and urged laws to require annual reporting and water‑efficient cooling, proposals now shaping the 2027 legislative agenda.
- Congressional debate has escalated as Rep. Frank Pallone backed a national moratorium, the Energy and Commerce subcommittee advanced the Ratepayer Protection Act to force large customers to cover grid upgrade costs, and votes revealed partisan splits.
- Local political fallout is growing: municipalities and several states have enacted moratoria or tightened rules, voters ousted officials who backed large projects, and industry groups cite confidentiality while some firms pledge less water‑intensive cooling.