Ag Commissioner Sid Miller pushes for data center regulation now

Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller publicly called on Governor Greg Abbott to immediately convene a special session of the Texas Legislature to address the rapid, unchecked expansion of large-scale data centers across the state. In a media release, Miller expressed concerns that waiting until the regular legislative session in January 2025 would be too late to protect Texas's agricultural sector, rural communities, vital water resources, and the stability of the state's electric grid.

Miller, who recently lost his re-election bid, emphasized the urgency of the situation, citing reports that the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) might approve the next significant wave of data center projects, known as "Batch Zero," as early as next spring. He warned that many of these projects could be committed or under construction, potentially being "grandfathered" under existing laws before lawmakers have a chance to act.

While Governor Abbott has recently advocated for stricter data center regulations, Miller questioned the sincerity of this commitment without immediate legislative action. Miller suggested that delays could inadvertently provide a window for developers and investors to accelerate projects, thereby circumventing future regulations. He concluded by asserting that farmers and ranchers should not have to compete with wealthy corporations for essential resources like water and electricity due to governmental inaction.