Texas Ag Commissioner Miller urges Governor Abbott to call special session on data center expansion
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller has urged Governor Greg Abbott to call a special legislative session to address the rapid expansion of large-scale data centers. Miller argues that current rules threaten rural communities, water supplies, and the electric grid. He believes immediate action is necessary before more projects are approved by ERCOT.
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller has called upon Governor Greg Abbott to convene a special legislative session focused on the rapid expansion of data centers across the state. Miller emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating that waiting until the regular legislative session in January 2025 would be too late to implement safeguards against projects that he believes threaten rural communities, water resources, and the electric grid.
Miller specifically cited concerns that the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) could begin approving a new wave of major data center projects, known as “Batch Zero,” as early as next spring. He expressed skepticism about the Governor's commitment to slowing development, questioning whether Abbott might be giving companies time to proceed before lawmakers can act. Miller asserted that a special session is the only way to ensure stronger protections, allowing Texas to balance technological leadership with the preservation of farmlands and natural resources without farmers and ranchers having to compete with major corporations for essential resources.
Governor Abbott's office did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding Miller's proposal.