George P. Bush argues smart planning on data centers can power Texas’ future

Texas legislators are commencing interim committee work for the 2027 legislative session, with a key focus on energy, economic development, permitting, and grid reliability. Former Texas land commissioner George P. Bush is a vocal proponent for integrating data centers into the state's future planning. He argues that thoughtful planning for the rapidly growing data center sector can significantly benefit Texas's economy and electric grid. Bush contends that rather than increasing energy costs, grid-interactive data centers—those with demand-responsive operations and co-located energy generation and storage—can actually reduce them for everyday Texans. He emphasizes that Texas law already acknowledges the flexibility of data centers to reduce power usage or switch to on-site power, thereby easing grid stress. This aligns with legislative priorities for energy oversight and coordinated planning involving various state and local authorities. While acknowledging valid criticisms regarding energy and water consumption, as well as local infrastructure strain, Bush asserts these can be managed through smart planning and community engagement. He suggests clear standards for water security, infrastructure cost-sharing, and environmental safeguards. Bush believes that by working collaboratively with the data center industry, Texas can leverage billions in direct investment, create jobs, generate tax revenue, and foster ancillary industries, ultimately strengthening the state's economic and energy strategy against international competition.