AUSTIN, Texas \u2014 Gov. Greg Abbott has moved to temporarily halt new data centers from connecting to Texas\u2019 power grid unless companies first provide the state with detailed information about their expected electricity and water use, a step that has drawn criticism from President Donald Trump.<\/p>\n
In an interview with Punchbowl News, Trump said Abbott\u2019s new moratorium is \u201ca mistake.\u201d Trump added, \u201cI\u2019m not taking position. I just think a mistake…When a community wants it, it means a lot of money is going to come into that community.\u201d<\/p>\n
On Monday, Abbott paused approvals for any data center seeking to connect to the state\u2019s power grid, citing reliability concerns. Abbott\u2019s office said ERCOT is tracking a more than 500% increase in peak electricity demand.<\/p>\n
Under the moratorium, companies must share information with the state about a proposed facility\u2019s electricity and water use. If a company does not meet the governor\u2019s requirements, the data center will be kept off the grid.<\/p>\n
In a statement from the governor\u2019s office, officials said in part: \u201cSimply put Texans must come first.\u201d<\/p>\n
Josh Blank, Research Director with the Texas Politics Project, said the disagreement places Abbott in a difficult political position within his party.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt forces the Republican Governor of Texas to take what can be seen as an anti-development or anti-business position, even though at this point it\u2019s just trying to sort of get a rein in on this issue of data centers,\u201d Blank said.<\/p>\n
Blank also pointed to public opinion as the November election approaches. <\/p>\n
\u201cA June UT Texas Politics Project polling showed a majority of Texas voters opposed to the construction of data centers in their community,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
RELATED: Trump calls Texas’ data center opposition a “mistake”<\/a><\/p>\n