Texas Tribune investigates data center locations and resource impacts
The Texas Tribune is investigating the proliferation of over 200 new data centers across Texas and their potential impact on regional power and water resources. Due to a lack of public disclosure from the state grid, the publication is seeking public input to help map these developments and continue its reporting.
The Texas Tribune is embarking on an investigative project to map and understand the impact of over 200 new data centers planned across Texas. These developments are driven by the growing demand for computing power, particularly for artificial intelligence applications.
The initiative comes in response to rising concerns among communities about the strain these data centers could place on regional power and water resources. A key challenge highlighted by the Tribune is the lack of transparency from the state grid, which does not publicly disclose the locations of proposed data center projects.
To overcome this information gap, Texas Tribune reporters have begun compiling their own map by analyzing industry data and conducting independent reporting. The publication is now actively soliciting assistance from Texans, urging them to fill out an online form to contribute to their ongoing reporting efforts and provide insights into what information about data centers interests them most.