Tom Green County named in initial probe for ‘landmark’ data center development investigation
The Texas Attorney General's Office has launched a "landmark investigation" into hundreds of data center developments across the state, including Tom Green County, for failing to respond to water use surveys from the Texas Water Development Board. This probe follows a directive from Gov. Greg Abbott to penalize non-compliant data centers, which could face criminal charges and permit ineligibility.
The Texas Attorney General's Office, under Attorney General Ken Paxton, has initiated a "landmark investigation" into numerous data center developments across Texas, including those in Tom Green County. The investigation targets facilities that have reportedly failed to comply with water use survey requests from the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB).
According to a press release from Sept. 24, Attorney General Paxton stated that his office will ensure all data centers provide accurate water usage information, emphasizing the legal requirement for the TWDB to survey entities using groundwater and surface water. Paxton highlighted the state's responsibility to steward resources and warned against companies disregarding legal obligations. He noted that hundreds of developments are currently under investigation to ensure transparency and compliance.
This action comes ten days after Gov. Greg Abbott directed the TWDB to impose penalties on major water users, including data centers, for past and future failures in reporting water use. The Governor's office warned that non-compliant data centers could face criminal charges and become ineligible for permits from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). Abbott also instructed the TWDB to collaborate with the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) on an audit of data centers.