Hinojosa urges Gov. Abbott to halt new Texas data centers until lawmakers set rules
Texas gubernatorial candidate Gina Hinojosa urged Gov. Greg Abbott to enact an emergency moratorium on new data center projects until lawmakers establish regulations. She cited concerns about excessive water and electricity use, constant noise, and lack of oversight for the rapidly growing industry. Hinojosa introduced a "Texans First" platform to address these issues and empower local communities.
Texas Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gina Hinojosa on Thursday urged Republican Gov. Greg Abbott to impose an emergency moratorium on new data center developments across the state. Hinojosa criticized the current regulatory environment as the "Wild West," asserting that data center operators are exploiting a lack of rules, consuming vast amounts of water and electricity, and creating constant noise, thereby straining local resources and impacting communities. She called for a pause until the Legislature can convene and establish new regulations.
Hinojosa was joined by Granbury resident Cheryl Shadden, who described enduring 24/7 noise and significant water usage from a nearby data center, citing 2.5 million gallons per day from the Brazos River and Lake Granbury. Hinojosa's "Texans First" agenda includes requirements for American union labor, increased community involvement in development decisions, enhanced transparency through an end to non-disclosure agreements, and protections against rising utility costs for households. She also advocates for ending subsidies and making data center water contracts unenforceable if they threaten community supplies.
This announcement follows earlier actions by Gov. Abbott, who in June called for a ban on data centers in rural Texas and urged the Public Utility Commission of Texas and ERCOT to address concerns over data center power and water consumption and infrastructure costs. A controversial data center project in East Texas was reportedly cancelled due to inability to comply with Abbott's new standards.