Texas House Committee to Study Data Center Water Use
The Texas House Committee on Natural Resources is engaged in interim work, including studying groundwater regulation and data center water usage in the state. They will evaluate total water consumption by data centers and consider policy options for water-efficient development, especially in water-stressed regions. This effort is linked to the implementation of HJR 7 and SB 7, which established the Texas Water Fund for water supply and infrastructure.
The Texas House Committee on Natural Resources is undertaking crucial interim work in preparation for the 90th Legislative Session in 2027, focusing on significant water-related issues impacting Texans. Representative Trent Ashby detailed the committee's mandate, which includes monitoring the implementation of HJR 7 and SB 7, legislation that established the Texas Water Fund with a dedicated $1 billion annual revenue stream to enhance water supply and infrastructure across the state. These measures also protect freshwater aquifers and preserve local control over surface water rights.
A key focus for the committee is a comprehensive study of groundwater regulation to ensure the long-term viability of the state's aquifers. This involves examining current regulatory practices, the authority of groundwater conservation districts, and the need for greater investment in data and modeling tools, particularly concerning large-scale groundwater production projects and unregulated areas.
Additionally, the committee is specifically charged with studying water use by data centers in Texas. This includes evaluating the total direct and indirect water consumption of data center operations. The committee plans to assess regulatory, permitting, and infrastructure considerations for promoting water-efficient data center development, especially in the state's water-stressed regions, and to consider policy options aimed at optimizing water resources and fostering better water stewardship within the sector.
Representative Ashby's office will also conduct mobile office hours in Angelina, Houston, Polk, San Augustine, Tyler, and Trinity counties, which are part of his District 9, to address constituent concerns.