Ag Commissioner Urges Halt to Data Center Growth
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller is urging Governor Greg Abbott to call a special legislative session to address the rapid expansion of data centers in the state. Miller warns that the unchecked growth of data centers threatens Texas agriculture, rural communities, and the electric grid. He criticized the Governor's current approach, arguing that data centers consume excessive water and receive preferential treatment over the state's agricultural sector.
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller has reiterated his demand for Governor Greg Abbott to convene a special legislative session focused on the rapid expansion of data centers across the state. Miller warns that the current pace of data center development poses a significant threat to Texas's agricultural sector, rural communities, and the stability of its electric grid.
Commissioner Miller criticized Governor Abbott's recent commendation of a withdrawn East Texas data center project, asserting that one isolated incident does not negate the hundreds of data centers already planned or under construction. He emphasized the irreversible loss of farmland, the strain on the electric grid, and the depletion of water supplies due to these facilities' high consumption rates, which can reach millions of gallons daily for cooling purposes.
Miller argued that while Texas needs economic growth, the state's leadership has prioritized billion-dollar technology companies through preferential treatment, neglecting the state's foundational agriculture industry and its farmers and ranchers. He stated that the Governor possesses the authority to summon lawmakers to Austin to address these urgent issues, including water scarcity, but has failed to make it a priority.
The Commissioner concluded by challenging Governor Abbott to decide whether he stands with Texas's agricultural community or continues to favor large technology corporations over the people who provide food for the state and the nation, highlighting the broad concerns from rural communities, landowners, and electric consumers.