Texas AG Paxton unveils data center restrictions he plans to pursue if elected to Senate
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has unveiled a four-point plan to impose restrictions on data centers, aligning with Governor Greg Abbot's state-level initiatives. His plan includes pursuing federal legislation to prohibit Chinese technology in data centers and hold developers criminally liable for harmful AI chatbots. Additionally, Paxton intends to support off-grid electricity providers to mitigate rate increases and champion Abbot's proposal to ban AI data centers in neighborhoods and repeal tax incentives.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has introduced a four-point plan aimed at restricting data center development, mirroring the state-level proposals of Governor Greg Abbot. Paxton, a Republican running for Senate, stated his intention to "fiercely advocate" for these measures.
Key components of Paxton's plan include sponsoring federal legislation to ban the use of Chinese technology in data centers and proposing criminal liability for data center developers whose infrastructure enables AI chatbots that compromise children's safety. He also expressed support for the Decentralized Access to Technology Alternatives Act, a bill by Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), which seeks to exempt new off-grid electricity providers from certain federal regulations to prevent data center energy consumption from raising consumer electricity rates.
Furthermore, Paxton announced he would "champion" Governor Abbot's data center plan, which encompasses prohibiting the construction of AI data centers in Texas neighborhoods, repealing existing tax incentives for such facilities, and imposing additional restrictions on their siting and development. Paxton emphasized that his "Texas First Data Center Plan" aims to safeguard the state's power grid, communities, and children, while ensuring America's leadership in the AI sector against China.