Several more data center companies back Gov. Abbott directive
Several data center companies, including Skybox, Digital Realty, Mara, and QTS, have publicly supported Texas Governor Greg Abbott's directive to state regulators. This directive halts new data center connections to the state's power grid until an audit of their resource usage, tax breaks, and environmental impact is completed. The Texas House Democratic Campaign Committee, however, has called for a special legislative session and an executive order to impose a full moratorium on all data center development.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has directed the Public Utility Commission (PUC) and ERCOT to temporarily stop approving requests for new data centers to connect to the state's power grid. This pause will remain in effect until both agencies can thoroughly audit the resources used by data centers, the tax incentives they receive, and their efforts to minimize environmental and community impacts within Texas.
Following the Governor's announcement, several data center companies, including Skybox, Digital Realty, Mara, and QTS, which are headquartered in Texas, have publicly announced their support for this review process, citing a welcome for transparency. A spokesperson for Governor Abbott's office stated that the governor's current actions are effective and that data centers are adhering to the established guidelines designed to protect Texas communities.
However, some state lawmakers believe the audits are insufficient. The Texas House Democratic Campaign Committee has urged the governor to convene a special legislative session to address the broader implications of data centers and has called for an executive order to impose a complete halt on all new data center development in the state.