As Texans question the growth of data centers, Commissioner Sid Miller lays out plan for statewide moratorium and Study
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller has called for a temporary statewide moratorium on new hyperscale data center development. He argues that unchecked expansion strains the electric grid, consumes vast water, and utilizes agricultural land, urging Governor Greg Abbott to take immediate action and lawmakers to assess long-term impacts.
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller has publicly advocated for a temporary statewide moratorium on new hyperscale data center developments. In a new op-ed, Miller emphasized the need for a pause until state lawmakers and regulators can thoroughly assess the long-term impacts of these facilities on Texas's electric grid, water supplies, agricultural land, and rural communities. He expressed concern that rapid expansion, fueled by significant taxpayer-backed incentives, is coming at the expense of farmers, ranchers, and small towns, leading to issues like strained utilities and the conversion of productive farmland.
Commissioner Miller urged Governor Greg Abbott to use his executive authority to intervene, citing the Governor's past actions to protect critical infrastructure. He highlighted the substantial subsidies, including sales tax exemptions, property tax abatements, and discounted infrastructure, that draw data centers to Texas, arguing these benefits often overlook the rising housing costs, grid instability, and water pressure faced by everyday Texans. Miller's proposal includes a temporary moratorium, independent studies on resource consumption, greater transparency on incentives, and stronger protections for agricultural land, aiming for a balanced approach to development.