Gov. Abbott says Meta will follow standards Texas establishes for data centers
Governor Greg Abbott announced that Meta has agreed to follow new data center rules in Texas, focusing on water reuse and efficient cooling. However, critics, including gubernatorial candidate Gina Hinojosa and local news hosts, question the enforceability of these "guidelines" and highlight El Paso's exclusion from the Ercot-regulated grid, suggesting the rules may not apply to data centers in that region.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced that Meta has committed to following new data center standards established by the state. These standards aim to protect Texas families and resources by promoting water reuse, water-efficient cooling systems, and limiting impacts on nearby neighborhoods.
The announcement, however, has drawn criticism. The KTSM 9 NEWS hosts pointed out that the new rules primarily involve the Public Utility Commission (PUC) and Ercot (Electric Reliability Council of Texas), which manages 90% of the state's electricity. El Paso, served by El Paso Electric and not Ercot, was not mentioned in the press release, leading to concerns that these protections might not apply there. Laura Cruz Acosta, spokesperson for the City of El Paso, told El Paso Matters that the governor's announcement reinforces protections the city has advocated for future data centers.
Gina Hinojosa, running against Governor Abbott, criticized the announcement, stating that these are merely "guidelines" and not enforceable laws, raising questions about compliance if companies choose not to follow them. The hosts echoed this concern, highlighting the lack of stated penalties for non-compliance. The discussion also mentioned a large Meta data center under construction in Pecos County, which is building its own power plant, raising further questions about the applicability of statewide utility connections and regulations.