Most Texans say they oppose local data centers as politicians shift their focus on regulating them
Recent polling reveals that a majority of Texans oppose the construction of data centers in their communities, influencing politicians to propose stricter regulations. Democratic candidates James Talarico and Gina Hinojosa have introduced agendas calling for local control, an end to tax breaks, and a halt to new data center construction. Governor Greg Abbott has also expressed support for reining in data centers, praising Diode Ventures' decision to withdraw a project and planning to pursue legislation for new standards.
A recent poll by the University of Texas at Austin and the Texas Politics Project indicates that 56% of Texans oppose the construction of data centers in their communities, with 42% strongly opposed. This sentiment is particularly strong in rural areas compared to urban areas.
Responding to this public opinion, Texas politicians from both major parties are campaigning on platforms to regulate data centers. Democratic U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico is advocating for local decision-making on data center construction and an end to tax breaks and subsidies. Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gina Hinojosa has called on Governor Greg Abbott to issue an executive order halting data center construction until lawmakers can establish better oversight, citing concerns about energy and water consumption.
Governor Abbott, a Republican, has also indicated a shift in his stance, previously calling for regulators to address data center impacts. He lauded Diode Ventures' decision to withdraw a data center project in East Texas, stating the project did not meet Texas's community, natural resource, and power grid standards. Abbott plans to propose state legislation to codify expectations for data centers, including ensuring a net positive effect on electricity consumption, reducing noise, requiring ecological reports, and repealing tax incentives.