Data center discussions happening at the state capitol | NBCDFW
Texas State Senate committees are holding public hearings this week in Austin to discuss the rapid growth of data centers and their impacts. Groups opposed to the expansion are planning a week of action at the state Capitol, citing concerns over water usage and property rights, and are calling for Governor Greg Abbott to ban or temporarily stop new projects.
Texas State Senate committees are scheduled to hold public hearings this week in Austin to address the significant growth of data centers in the state and their associated impacts. NBC 5's Larry Collins reported on the discussions, noting that a coalition of groups opposed to data center expansion plans to testify.
The first hearing is set for today with the Texas Senate Finance Committee, followed by a session on Wednesday with the Senate Committee on Business and Commerce. The latter committee aims to recommend ways to balance the economic benefits of data center development with concerns over landowners' rights, private property, water infrastructure, and community integrity. Opposing groups highlight that data centers reportedly consume 3 to 5 million gallons of water daily, and the number of planned projects in Texas has surged from about 40 two years ago to nearly 400 now.
The coalition is organizing a "week of action" at the state Capitol and is urging Governor Greg Abbott to call a special session to either ban or temporarily halt data center projects. They hope this will provide lawmakers an opportunity to establish regulations to mitigate their concerns.