Commissioner Sid Miller Calls on Governor Abbott to Donate Data Center Contributions to AgriStress Helpline
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller has called on Governor Greg Abbott to donate data center campaign contributions to the AgriStress Helpline, citing concerns about the rapid expansion of data centers. Miller argues that data centers strain the state's water and electric grid resources, impacting agricultural communities. He also urged the Governor to call a special legislative session to address the unchecked growth of data centers in Texas.
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller publicly called on Governor Greg Abbott to donate all campaign contributions received from data center developers and related interests to the AgriStress Helpline. Miller, speaking from Austin, expressed repeated concerns regarding the rapid expansion of large-scale data center projects across Texas.
Commissioner Miller highlighted the detrimental impact of data centers on the state's vital resources, specifically mentioning water supplies, the electric grid, agricultural land, and rural communities. He asserted that farmers and ranchers are being forced to compete with these facilities for essential resources like water and reliable electricity. Miller suggested that redirecting these contributions would help restore faith in the system by benefiting those agricultural communities that bear the brunt of data center growth.
Additionally, Miller reiterated his belief that Governor Abbott should convene a special legislative session. The purpose of this session would be to address the unchecked proliferation of data centers and to enact significant protections for Texas's water resources, farmland, rural areas, and the state's electric grid. The AgriStress Helpline provides crucial crisis support and mental health resources to the agricultural community.