Texas AG Paxton investigating data centers over water use reporting requirements
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has launched a statewide investigation into hundreds of data centers for failing to report water usage to the Texas Water Development Board. This action follows Governor Greg Abbott's directive to halt new data center permits until comprehensive audits of water and electricity usage are completed by state agencies. Both initiatives aim to ensure transparency and compliance with state laws regarding resource management.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced on Thursday, September 24, a statewide investigation targeting hundreds of data center developments across 18 counties for their failure to respond to a water use survey from the Texas Water Development Board. The investigation seeks to compel data centers to provide accurate information on their water consumption, ensuring compliance with state law and responsible stewardship of resources. Paxton emphasized that companies must not disregard their legal obligations to Texas and its citizens, stressing the importance of protecting the state's water and energy supplies.
The counties included in the investigation are Tarrant, Dallas, Harris, Bexar, Montgomery, Travis, Smith, Tom Green, Potter, Randall, Lubbock, Midland, Ector, Wichita, Victoria, Brazos, Nueces, and El Paso. This action follows a recent directive from Governor Greg Abbott, who ordered a halt on issuing new data center permits until the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) and the Texas Water Development Board complete comprehensive audits of data centers' water and electrical usage. Abbott underscored the necessity of a full understanding of these impacts to facilitate proper decision-making.