Texas Lawmaker Urges Immediate Pause on Rural Data Center Projects

Texas state Rep. Helen Kerwin, R-District 58, is calling on Gov. Greg Abbott to impose an immediate pause on new large-scale data center developments in rural areas until the long-term impacts on water supplies and electric power can be fully assessed. In a letter to the governor, Kerwin said constituents in her district are raising increasing concerns about the cumulative effects of data center growth amid the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence infrastructure. District 58 is home to the Comanche Peak Nuclear Power Plant, a major source of reliable baseload power. Kerwin noted that a hyperscale data center has already finalized plans to locate in Somervell County, with indications that more projects could advance quickly. Kerwin urged an "IMMEDIATE PAUSE" on new developments so rural areas can evaluate effects on critical resources and infrastructure. She also requested an executive working group of experts and elected officials to study water consumption standards, ERCOT grid interconnection impacts and transparency requirements. Additionally, Kerwin called for mandatory public notice and citizen input when projects seek significant water usage or major power connections through state agencies such as the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality or the Public Utility Commission of Texas. Similar concerns have been raised by local officials in neighboring North Texas counties, Kerwin said. This comes as a proposed data center may be built in San Angelo in the future, on city-owned property northeast of the city near U.S. Highway 67 North and City Farm Road. The San Angelo City Council has already approved a zone change for the property.