Texas agriculture commissioner renews push for data center regulations

Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller is intensifying his call for state lawmakers to address the rapid growth of data centers in Texas. Miller is once again urging Governor Greg Abbott to convene a special legislative session, emphasizing that the state cannot afford to delay new regulations until the next regular legislative session.

Commissioner Miller argues that without new laws, data centers will continue to expand at a rate faster than the state's power grid and water supplies can sustainably handle. He proposes that lawmakers should mandate companies to fund their own infrastructure development and establish clear guidelines for water usage and grid conditions. Miller asserted that these measures could be implemented within 30 days if the Governor prioritizes reining in data centers, protecting the state's infrastructure, water resources, the power grid, and consumers from potential increases in electricity rates and diminished water availability for agricultural, manufacturing, and residential use.

Additionally, the Commissioner highlights the importance of protecting Texas farmland and rural communities, citing that the increasing demand for artificial intelligence is driving a surge in data center development across the state.