Texas legislators begin digging into water use, other data center impacts ahead of 2027 session

The Texas House State Affairs Committee has initiated an investigation into the environmental and resource impacts of data centers, primarily focusing on water consumption. This legislative effort is taking place as state lawmakers prepare for the 2027 session. The initial hearing, held on April 9, did not include public testimony or input from local elected officials. Despite this, additional hearings are planned for the near future, indicating a sustained focus on understanding and potentially regulating data center development across Texas.