Texas Governor-elect Gina Hinojosa calls for moratorium on data centers | What would that look like?
Texas Governor-elect Gina Hinojosa is calling for an immediate moratorium on approvals for new data centers until the Legislature adopts protections governing their development. The proposal responds to concerns about data centers' water consumption, power infrastructure impacts and lack of regulations in rural, unincorporated communities.
Governor-elect Gina Hinojosa is making a statewide pause on new data center approvals a central campaign promise, saying the moratorium should remain until the Texas Legislature establishes protections in state law. She also wants Texans to have a greater role in deciding whether and how data centers are built in their communities.
The proposal comes as artificial intelligence drives larger facilities and raises concerns about water use and electricity infrastructure, particularly in rural areas without local zoning rules. Houston Business Journal energy reporter Naomi Kling said the details of any future permitting and regulatory framework remain unclear. Governor Greg Abbott has directed state agencies to conduct an audit and temporarily halt data center approvals already in progress, but Hinojosa has criticized that action as political. Political analyst Brandon Rottinghaus said bipartisan support for data center policy changes could make legislative action feasible.