Texas data centers face investigation after not answering water survey

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has initiated a "landmark" criminal investigation into hundreds of data center developments across numerous counties, including Dallas and Tarrant, for their failure to comply with state-mandated water usage surveys. The Attorney General's office announced the probe on Thursday, stating that it stems from a Texas law requiring the Texas Water Development Board to survey entities using ground and surface water for industrial purposes. A water board official noted that fewer than 30% of data centers responded to these requests.

Paxton stated that the investigation aims to ensure data centers are transparent about their water usage and fully compliant with state law, asserting the state's responsibility to protect its resources, water, and energy supply. While no state agency maintains a complete inventory of data centers, suggesting some operators may not have been contacted, the investigation covers facilities in counties such as Bexar, Brazos, Dallas, Ector, El Paso, Harris, and Tarrant. This legal action follows recent protests in Austin against data center development, where demonstrators called for a moratorium on new facilities, citing concerns about the industry's significant demands on water, electricity, land, and infrastructure.