Hundreds of Texas Data Centers Under Investigation Over Water Use Reporting
Attorney General Ken Paxton has launched an investigation into hundreds of Texas data center developments for potential non-compliance with state water-use reporting requirements. This action follows a directive from Governor Greg Abbott to enforce these regulations and halt permits for data center projects until a state audit is complete. The investigation targets data centers across various counties for failing to respond to the Texas Water Development Board's water-use survey.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has initiated a statewide investigation into hundreds of data center developments for allegedly failing to comply with mandatory water-use surveys. The investigation follows a directive from Governor Greg Abbott, who last week ordered the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) to enforce reporting requirements and impose legal consequences for non-compliance, including referrals to county or district attorneys and potential permit disqualifications.
Paxton stated his office is ensuring transparency regarding water usage and full compliance with state law, emphasizing the need to protect Texas's resources. Sources indicate that approximately 80 percent of data centers required to report their water usage have not done so. In related action, Governor Abbott also instructed the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to halt permits for new data center projects until a state audit concludes.
The Attorney General's initial investigation focuses on data centers in numerous counties, including Harris, Montgomery, Travis, Dallas, Tarrant, Smith, Bexar, Tom Green, Potter, Randall, Lubbock, Midland, Ector, Wichita, Victoria, Brazos, Nueces, and El Paso.