Texas groups intensify push for data center moratorium, tax incentive reforms
Community groups and families in Texas are escalating their opposition to data center development with a "week of action," urging Governor Greg Abbott and state lawmakers to consider a moratorium on projects. They are also advocating for the elimination of state and local tax incentives for data centers, citing concerns about water, electricity, land, noise, and air pollution impacts. The organized push includes rallies, committee testimonies, and outreach to elected officials.
Families and community organizations across Texas are intensifying their push to halt unchecked data center development, launching a "week of action" to bring their concerns directly to Governor Greg Abbott and state lawmakers. The growing movement aims to make their voices heard through daily steps, including rallies at the Capitol, testimonies at Senate Finance and Business and Commerce Committee hearings, and urging officials to call a special session.
Key demands from the coalition include the elimination of all state and local tax incentives for data centers and a moratorium on new projects. Opponents are raising significant concerns about the environmental impact of data centers, specifically highlighting their extensive water consumption (estimated at 3-5 million gallons per day) and strain on the electric grid, alongside land, noise, and air pollution. Public Citizen's Texas Office is helping to equip residents with the skills and information for a successful campaign.
Julie Waters, a resident of Coppell and member of Texans Against Data Centers, shared personal concerns about her hometown of Crowell, where she fears data centers are depleting crucial drinking water resources. She noted the rapid increase in planned data center projects in Texas, from about 40 two years ago to nearly 400 currently, intensifying the urgency of their call for legislative action. The issue is expected to be a major topic in the upcoming legislative session, with groups actively monitoring lawmakers' responsiveness to their concerns.