Abbott cracks down on Texas data center water compliance
Governor Greg Abbott is enforcing water usage reporting for Texas data centers, as many facilities have not complied with state law. Abbott has directed the Texas Water Development Board to penalize violators and requested a compliance update. Google and Meta are noted as significant water users in the state.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott is intensifying efforts to enforce water usage reporting among data centers across the state. The move comes in response to low compliance rates, with only approximately 30% of facilities reporting their water consumption to the Texas Water Development Board, as mandated by state law.
Governor Abbott has issued a directive to the Texas Water Development Board, instructing them to implement penalties against data centers that fail to comply with the reporting requirements. He has also requested an update on compliance progress by October 14th.
Major technology companies like Google and Meta, which operate large data centers in Texas, are noted as some of the state's most significant water consumers. The governor's action aims to improve transparency and accountability regarding water resources in a state facing increasing demand and environmental considerations.