Abbott Issues Directive to ERCOT, Public Utility Commission to Control Rising Data Center Costs
Governor Greg Abbott has directed the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC) and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) to ensure data centers do not negatively affect residential electricity bills or drain local water resources. Abbott emphasized that data centers must operate to reduce costs for residents. He also plans to collaborate with the Legislature on further protections for ratepayers.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has issued a directive to the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC) and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), urging them to take action to mitigate the negative impact of data center expansion on residential electricity bills. In a June 10 press release, Governor Abbott emphasized that data centers must operate in ways that reduce costs for residential electricity customers.
Furthermore, the directive highlights the importance of preventing data centers from draining water from local neighborhoods. Abbott indicated his intention to collaborate with the Legislature to enact further measures to protect ratepayers from the growing expenses associated with the rapid proliferation of data centers across the state.