EL PASO, TEXAS (KFOX14/CBS4) — The rapid expansion of data centers across Texas is emerging as a campaign issue in the race for governor, with candidates clashing over how to address concerns about power use, water demand and local impacts as major projects move forward, including Meta’s massive development in El Paso.
Gov. Greg Abbott has ordered a pause on new data center approvals while the state reviews how the facilities could affect the power grid and other resources.
“There is now a halt to any more approvals of any more data centers in the state of Texas pending the results of the audit to be undertaken by both ERCOT and the Public Utilities Commission,” Abbott said.
Julia Spencer reports on Data center boom enters Texas governor’s race as Meta builds $14B El Paso campus (Credit: KFOX14)
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Abbott directed a review of how much power and water data centers would use, whether they are providing their own power and reusing water, and how they plan to limit noise, traffic and other impacts on nearby communities.
Under the new approach, data centers must be audited by the Public Utilities Commission and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas before receiving approval from the state.
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gina Hinojosa, who made a campaign stop in El Paso today, said the state needs stronger rules for projects already underway and called for lawmakers to take up the issue directly.
“What is happening is there are just no rules. There are no rules. And so we need to have an emergency legislative session just on this issue so that we can hear from community members all the different ways that they are being impacted,” Hinojosa said.
Hinojosa also said she would review existing agreements tied to projects that could affect local resources.
“Greg Abbott has said he is pausing approval of the data centers. We know that goes away on November 4th. When I am governor, we will review the contracts that are jeopardizing the water that people in El Paso need to live and drink,” she said.
The debate comes as data centers expand statewide, including in El Paso, where Meta is building a $14 billion data center campus.
The project has brought investment to the region, but some residents have raised concerns about water, electricity demand, noise and the effect on nearby communities.
A representative with the Amanecer People’s Project said, “One thing is clear Texans do not want data centers.”
A concerned resident also pointed to water conservation as a key issue, saying, “Our water, our way of life here is to conserve water. We have been raised, in this manner because this is a finite resource.”
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Hinojosa said El Paso residents are worried about multiple impacts.
“The people of El Paso…They have real concerns about water, real concerns about electricity, real concerns about what this means for the community they grew up in, the community they love,” she said.
Abbott said the state’s focus includes ensuring the grid can handle the growth.
“We want to make sure, ultimately, that the power grid is going to be safe, secure, and reliable, and not overburdened by data centers,” he said.
Abbott said the pause on new approvals will remain in place pending reviews from state agencies.
Hinojosa said that if elected, she would call lawmakers into a special session to create broader protections related to data center development.
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