On Sunday’s episode of ABC’s “This Week,” Texas Governor Greg Abbott shared his critical views on AI data centers, accusing them of “digging their own grave” due to their reluctance to collaborate with local government authorities.
Governor Abbott elaborated on his administration’s proactive approach to address the concerns surrounding data centers. He highlighted the extensive measures his government has implemented, stating, “Our focus has been on addressing the issues that have been raised about data centers, ensuring we create an unparalleled framework aimed at resolving these challenges. As governor, I have detailed a plan that is the most comprehensive in the nation, tackling the data center dilemma head-on. To spearhead this initiative, I have halted any new data center projects from commencing operations in Texas.”
Continuing, Abbott explained the criteria data centers must now meet, saying, “During this moratorium, I’ve established stringent guidelines that these facilities must adhere to. Firstly, they are required to declare their water usage explicitly and prove they aren’t drawing from communities in need. Secondly, they are forbidden from tapping into the power supply needed by the Texas power grid. Furthermore, they are mandated to reduce electricity costs for local consumers. Lastly, they must ensure they are not disturbing the peace of neighborhoods or rural areas. These principles are now uniformly enforced across all data centers in Texas.”
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Abbott further commented on the issue, noting, “These centers have been emerging in obscure locations, often unknown to the community until construction begins. Their failure to coordinate with state and local officials has essentially set the stage for their own challenges, resulting in justifiable backlash. Consequently, these new regulations have been instituted to ensure no data center can operate unless it complies with the standards I have established.”
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