Texas lawmakers grill data center developers
Texas lawmakers grilled data center developers over their water usage at a state House Natural Resources Committee hearing. Public speakers also urged faster action to protect water resources or empower counties to resist development. The issue has become a top concern for state legislators due to constituent and local official feedback.
Texas state lawmakers at the state Capitol blasted data center developers during a 10-hour hearing of the state House Natural Resources Committee, accusing them of failing to provide sufficient details about their water consumption plans. Dozens of public speakers also testified, urging the state to implement stricter measures to safeguard water resources from data center operations or grant local counties more authority to oppose such developments.
State Representative Trent Ashby, a Republican, conveyed the frustration among legislators, noting that while property tax relief was a primary campaign issue, data center-related concerns have dominated constituent feedback since the primaries. Growing public and legislative angst over data center development, particularly regarding water usage, has emerged as a significant issue for Texas state legislators who report being pressured by constituents and local officials to establish more regulatory oversight for the industry.