McCraw: Data centers essential for personal, national security
Col. Steven C. McCraw argues that increased domestic data center capacity in Texas is essential for national and personal security. He addresses local concerns about electricity, water, and noise, stating that modern data centers are efficient and responsible. McCraw advocates for supporting responsible data center development in Texas to safeguard critical infrastructure and maintain America's technological leadership.
Col. Steven C. McCraw, who served over four decades in law enforcement and national security, has joined the Texas National Security Council to address the critical need for greater data center capacity. He asserts that Texas is uniquely positioned to develop this infrastructure in a manner that protects data and critical assets.
McCraw highlights three main threats stemming from insufficient secure domestic data center capacity: vulnerability of personal data to hostile nations and criminal organizations; the risk of cascading cyberattacks on critical infrastructure like 911 systems, banking, and the power grid; and the imperative to win the global AI arms race. He positions Texas as the safest location due to its existing cybersecurity assets, independent electric grid, and the Lone Star Infrastructure Protection Act, which prevents adversarial nations from accessing or controlling critical infrastructure.
Addressing common community objections, McCraw provides counterarguments regarding electricity costs, water usage, and noise. He notes that modern data centers utilize closed-loop cooling systems with minimal water consumption, citing that a proposed Tyler data center would not use the city's water system. For power, he references Senate Bill 6 and Gov. Greg Abbott's directives, ensuring data centers cover their infrastructure costs. He also states that today's liquid-cooled data centers are considerably quieter than older facilities.
McCraw distinguishes between responsible and irresponsible data center projects, urging support for the former. He concludes that denying responsible development forces data storage abroad, thereby jeopardizing national security, family information, and America's technological leadership.