Republicans divided over data centers in Texas.
Republicans in Texas are divided over the proliferation of data centers. While Texas Railroad Commissioner Wayne Christian emphasizes the economic benefits for rural areas, Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller is calling for Governor Abbott to implement a moratorium on data center development, citing concerns shared by Democrats and many rural voters.
Republicans in Texas are reportedly divided over the issue of data center development across the state, particularly in rural areas.
Texas Railroad Commissioner Wayne Christian, a Republican, voiced strong support for data centers, arguing that they offer billions of dollars in economic development for rural Texas, which he described as "dying." Christian dismissed opposition based on concerns like smell, drawing an analogy to the acceptance of odors from traditional rural industries like chickens, stating, "smells like money to me."
However, fellow Republican Sid Miller, the Texas Agriculture Commissioner, holds an opposing view. Miller is urging Governor Abbott to institute a moratorium on data centers or to call a special legislative session to address the issue. He suggested that Abbott, who typically secures 70% of the rural vote, risks losing that support if he doesn't act. Miller noted that Democrats are largely unified in their desire to slow down data center expansion and implement oversight and "guardrails" for the industry, an issue he believes Republicans should be leading on.