Paxton wades into water usage investigation of Texas data center developments
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is launching a statewide investigation into data center water usage, building on Governor Greg Abbott's earlier directive to pause data center permits. The investigation will initially focus on several specific counties but aims to ensure all data center developments provide updated water usage information. This statewide regulatory push addresses concerns about power and water needs, with ERCOT also pausing connection requests for new data centers.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has initiated a statewide investigation into data center developments that have not complied with recent audits, including a Texas Water Development Board survey on water usage. This action comes amidst Paxton's U.S. Senate race and builds upon Governor Greg Abbott's previous directives to regulate data centers across the state. Abbott had instructed key environmental and power regulators, including the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), to pause permit approvals for new data centers to assess their power and water requirements.
The Attorney General's office is now tasked with ensuring all data center facilities provide up-to-date water usage information. While the investigation targets all data center projects statewide, initial inquiries will concentrate on Harris, Montgomery, Bexar, Travis, Dallas, Tarrant, Smith, Tom Green, Potter, Randall, Lubbock, Midland, Ector, Wichita, Victoria, Brazos, Nueces, and El Paso counties. These regulatory efforts by state leaders follow concerns raised by municipal and county officials regarding the rapid proliferation and resource demands of data centers.