Sid Miller calls for data center moratorium, putting him at odds with Abbott
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller has called for a temporary moratorium on new data center development in Texas, citing concerns about the electric grid, water supplies, and agricultural land. This puts him at odds with Gov. Greg Abbott, who supports the industry, and reveals a growing split among GOP leaders. Hill County has already enacted a yearlong moratorium, while the legality of such local bans is being questioned by some state lawmakers.
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller has publicly called for a temporary moratorium on new data center development, revealing a significant division among the state's Republican leadership. Miller advocates for a pause until lawmakers and regulators can thoroughly study the long-term impacts of data centers on the state's electric grid, water supplies, agricultural land, and rural communities. He emphasized the lack of existing guidelines or regulations for these projects, which he believes are overtaxing state resources and converting valuable farmland.
His stance contrasts sharply with that of Gov. Greg Abbott, who has actively promoted Texas as a hub for AI development, attracting companies like Google, which announced a $40 billion investment in North Texas data centers. Other state leaders, including Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Dustin Burrows, have acknowledged the concerns by directing lawmakers to study data center water and energy demands ahead of the next legislative session. Meanwhile, Hill County has already enacted a yearlong moratorium on data center growth, and other counties, such as Hood County, have considered similar measures, prompting questions from state Senator Paul Bettencourt to Attorney General Ken Paxton regarding counties' authority to impose such bans. Miller's proposal highlights a growing conservative opposition to the data center boom, even as many state Republicans continue to support the industry.