The Texas Commissioner of Agriculture calls for a pause on data centers
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller hosted a rally at the Texas Capitol, advocating for a pause on new hyperscale data center development. Miller cited concerns over the state's water supply, electric grid strain, and various forms of pollution. He called on state leaders, including Governor Greg Abbott, to take immediate action to protect agricultural communities.
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller organized a rally at the Texas Capitol on Monday, advocating for a moratorium on new hyperscale data center development across the state. The event, titled "Press Pause on Hyperscale Data Centers," aimed to protect Texas's agricultural communities.
Commissioner Miller highlighted concerns about the impact of data centers on the state's water supply and electric grid. He called upon state leaders, including Governor Greg Abbott, to implement immediate measures to ensure that farmers, ranchers, and rural communities do not bear the costs associated with the recent surge in data center growth. Governor Abbott has also publicly expressed his opposition to data centers.
Speakers at the rally, including Texas ranchers, voiced worries about various environmental issues, such as noise pollution, air quality degradation, and water quality issues, in addition to the negative effects on animals and people. They urged Governor Abbott to convene a special legislative session to address these concerns and potentially halt data center development altogether.