Why Trump’s energy boss thinks data centers could lower Texans’ power bills
Energy Secretary Chris Wright said new Texas data centers could lower electricity costs for other ratepayers by paying their own transmission and connection expenses. During a Houston appearance, Wright announced more than $50 million in federal funding to strengthen the state’s power grid, while data center permitting remains paused under Gov. Greg Abbott’s direction.
U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright promoted data center development during a Houston visit, arguing that large facilities could reduce electricity costs for other Texas customers if they cover the transmission and connection infrastructure they require. He announced more than $50 million in federal funds to strengthen the state’s power grid and appeared with Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and Texas Division of Emergency Management Chief Nim Kidd.
The remarks come amid political backlash over rising utility costs and the rapid expansion of data centers in Texas. Gov. Greg Abbott has directed state environmental regulators to indefinitely pause permitting for data center projects, although watchdog groups questioned whether the pause is being implemented. CenterPoint Energy expects nearly 14 gigawatts of new large-load connections, driven primarily by data centers, by 2030 and said those projects could put downward pressure on average Houston customers’ bills by paying their own connection costs.