News ClipAustin American-Statesman·Hays County, TX
Texas lawmakers urged to address data center regulation; Hays County enacts water protection pause$
Hays County officials enacted an emergency water protection review period, pausing data center construction through the end of the year due to environmental concerns. This action highlights broader calls for Texas state leaders to seriously regulate the rapidly expanding data center industry, which currently faces weak oversight regarding water and electricity consumption, noise, and tax exemptions. Governor Greg Abbott has directed regulators to address costs to ratepayers and pledged to work with lawmakers, but critics argue the state's response is too slow.
6/25/2026
