State of Texas: Social media verdicts fuel Texas push to ban minors from platforms

Texas is grappling with a rapid expansion of large-scale data center development, primarily driven by the artificial intelligence sector, which is raising significant concerns about the state's infrastructure and natural resources. The "Galaxy Helios data center" in Dickens County exemplifies this trend, projected to cost $3.5 billion and capable of consuming 1.6 gigawatts of electricity—enough to power over a million homes. In response, Texas lawmakers passed Senate Bill 6 in 2025, mandating that the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) establish new regulations for electricity users demanding 75 megawatts or more. These rules, aimed at supporting business development while mitigating grid failure risks, require large load customers to post $100,000 per megawatt in financial security before interconnection. State Senator Charles Perry (R-Lubbock) noted the unprecedented speed of this expansion caught many off guard. Amidst these developments, State Representative Helen Kerwin (R-Cleburne) sent a letter to Governor Greg Abbott, urging a pause on large-scale data center projects in rural areas due to concerns over water supplies and grid capacity. State Representative Erin Zwiener (D-Driftwood) echoed these sentiments, highlighting widespread, bipartisan concerns across counties like Hays, Hood, Van Zandt, and El Paso. Rep. Zwiener has initiated a working group in Hays County to study the issue, focusing on water supply and local government authority to manage growth, with policy recommendations expected for the next legislative session.