Analysis: Data center backlash in Texas reveals partisan divide despite governor's stance
This article discusses the evolving political landscape surrounding data center development in Texas, analyzing whether the opposition is truly bipartisan. It highlights Governor Greg Abbott's shift from courting data center investment to expressing concerns about their impact on the state's electricity grid. Local municipalities like Dallas, Fort Worth, and Denton are also reviewing regulations and considering moratoriums.
An opinion piece by Ronell Smith in the Dallas News challenges the perception of a bipartisan backlash against data centers in Texas. While Governor Greg Abbott initially welcomed Google's $40 billion investment in the state, he has since voiced strong criticism, stating data center companies "dug their own grave" and "got the backlash they deserve." This shift comes despite a University of Texas/Texas Politics Project poll indicating a significant partisan split in opposition: 75% of Democrats oppose data centers in their communities, compared to 43% of Republicans who oppose and 45% who support.
Abbott's Aug. 3 directive ordered the Public Utility Commission and ERCOT to vet data centers before connecting to the grid, a move Democratic state Rep. Gina Hinojosa has called "political theater." This directive affects 250-300 projects and has already delayed ERCOT's audit timeline to December 10, 2027. Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller, a fellow Republican, dismissed Abbott's letter as a mere "suggestion" since it is not a statute.
Meanwhile, local land-use debates are escalating. The Dallas City Council is reviewing its data center regulations, Fort Worth is deliberating a moratorium, and Denton has scheduled hearings in September and October to consider a similar pause on development. The article concludes that the perceived bipartisan agreement is misleading, as Democrats are largely unified in opposition while Republicans remain divided on the issue.