US Senate, Texas coalition take aim at data centers

A new statewide coalition in Texas, named "We the People Texas," is pushing back against the rapid development of data centers across the state. The coalition, which includes groups like the Texas NAACP and Save Rural Texas, asserts that data centers pose a "clear and present danger" due to their significant water and power consumption. They are calling for a pause and review of water commitments made to these facilities, particularly regarding their cooling methods which can drain aquifers.

This advocacy comes amid existing concerns about Texas's water supply issues. While some data center developers claim newer facilities use alternative cooling liquids or recycle water, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced an investigation into hundreds of data centers that have not responded to a mandatory state water use survey. Furthermore, Texas Governor Greg Abbott has already issued directives to temporarily slow down new data center projects until state regulators can assess their water and power usage.

Separately, at the federal level, the US Senate is expected to vote on the Ratepayer Protection Act. This bill, which passed the House with bipartisan support, aims to prevent the costs associated with data center growth from being passed on to consumers through higher energy prices. However, its passage in the Senate is uncertain due to political considerations ahead of the midterm elections.