PUC sues Paxton’s office over release of data center records
The Public Utility Commission of Texas sued Attorney General Ken Paxton’s office in Travis County over whether geographic details from a data center survey must be released under the state’s public-records law. The PUC argues that county and regional water-planning information could expose critical infrastructure vulnerabilities when combined with electricity, water and grid data.
The Public Utility Commission of Texas is asking a Travis County judge to block the release of county and regional water-planning information collected from data centers and virtual-currency mining facilities. The agency says those geographic details could reveal vulnerabilities in power and water infrastructure when combined with survey data on electricity demand, water consumption, cooling systems and utility connections.
The lawsuit challenges two rulings by the Texas Attorney General’s Open Records Division, which concluded that the PUC had not shown the information qualified for protection under the Texas Homeland Security Act. The dispute follows open-records requests from a McLennan County resident and journalists, including a Texas Tribune reporter.
The case comes as Texas officials seek more information about the rapidly expanding data center industry. Gov. Greg Abbott has ordered additional reviews of data centers connecting to the electric grid, while the Texas Water Development Board is enforcing water-use reporting requirements. The PUC says its survey data is needed for long-term electricity and water planning, although response rates from facilities have been limited.