Texas Agricultural Commissioner Sid Miller sounds alarm on data centers
Texas Agricultural Commissioner Sid Miller has voiced strong opposition to the proliferation of data centers in Texas, citing concerns over land, water, and electricity usage, as well as the burden of tax incentives. He argues that the issue is creating political backlash for Governor Greg Abbott, who has not supported Miller's call for a moratorium or increased regulation. The debate highlights a significant electoral fissure ahead of midterm elections.
Texas Agricultural Commissioner Sid Miller, a prominent Republican, has become a vocal critic of the rapid expansion of data centers in Texas, which he warns could jeopardize Governor Greg Abbott's re-election chances. Miller contends that Texas has become an "incentive paradise" for tech companies, attracting more data centers than China, but at a cost to the state's agricultural land, water, and energy resources. He highlights public opposition, with polls indicating a majority of Texans, particularly in rural areas, oppose data center construction in their communities.
Miller has publicly called on Governor Abbott to implement a one-year moratorium on data center development and establish regulatory "guardrails" for the industry. However, Abbott has not taken these actions, despite reportedly receiving $21 million in campaign donations from data center interests. While Abbott is now attempting to slow down environmental permit approvals, Miller dismisses these efforts as "smoke and mirrors" designed to appease voters before the midterms, noting that the Texas Public Utility Commission recently voted to soften regulations. Miller predicts that this issue, combined with others, could lead to Republican losses in statewide races for the first time in decades.
Miller's concerns stem from the permanent loss of fertile farmland to data centers, as well as their significant consumption of water and electricity. He also points to the lack of oversight and regulation in county areas where many data centers are located. Additionally, he criticizes the state's tax incentive programs, noting that an audit found several data centers out of compliance with their statutory obligations to receive these benefits. Local communities, particularly farmers and ranchers, are expressing anger over decreased property values, increased rental rates, noise and light pollution, and the loss of leased land for agriculture.