TAB’s Statement on House Interim Charges on Data Centers

AUSTIN, Texas – The Texas Association of Business (TAB) has issued a statement supporting Speaker Burrows' announcement that the Texas House of Representatives will undertake an interim study on the impact of data centers across the state. Megan Mauro, Interim President & CEO of TAB, highlighted that Texas is becoming a major hub for AI data centers and stressed the importance of providing legislators, businesses, and the public with accurate information. The study aims to counteract what TAB describes as "misinformation circulating about data center water usage, impact on the grid, and effect on utility bills." Mauro emphasized that data centers are crucial for state and local economies, arguing that concerns about their broader impact are unfounded. She also linked the development of data centers in Texas to the global competition in artificial intelligence, asserting the state's leading role in the nation's efforts to "win that battle." This legislative initiative provides a critical opportunity to inform lawmakers and the public ahead of the 2027 Texas Legislative Session, ensuring decisions are based on facts rather than rumors.