Rep. Dan Crenshaw blames China for anti-data center propaganda during House committee hearing

During a House Energy Committee hearing, Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-TX) discussed the importance of water infrastructure, ratepayer protection, and affordability, particularly in the context of the growing number of data centers. He acknowledged concerns regarding water supply, grid strain, and electricity prices but emphasized that these are solvable issues. Crenshaw highlighted his proposed DATA Act, a federal bill designed to permit data centers to develop their own onsite energy supplies, mirroring practices already implemented in some states like Texas.

Crenshaw expressed frustration with the legislative process, noting that substantive, bipartisan work often fails to pass into law due to political grandstanding for social media attention. He then addressed the "heated" debate surrounding data centers, arguing they are inevitable and beneficial provided their negative impacts are mitigated. Crenshaw asserted that efforts to regulate the U.S. out of data center construction would be a victory for China, whom he accused of orchestrating "anti-data center propaganda" on social media.

He cited an investigation by X (formerly Twitter) that found over 200,000 accounts boosting anti-data center posts were created by Chinese entities posing as American accounts. Echoing former President Trump's sentiments, Crenshaw claimed that China benefits from this movement, labeling individuals influenced by such propaganda as "unwitting propaganda tools for the CCP." He urged the public to conduct thorough research and seek understanding rather than succumb to online anger.

Crenshaw concluded by commending the committee for its commitment to finding solutions and mentioned that the leadership of the Energy and Commerce Committee had requested the FBI to investigate these alleged anti-data center campaigns.