{"id":466946,"date":"2026-10-15T16:54:09","date_gmt":"2026-10-15T16:54:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/466946\/"},"modified":"2026-10-15T16:54:09","modified_gmt":"2026-10-15T16:54:09","slug":"paxton-demands-water-usage-reports-from-156-texas-data-centers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/466946\/","title":{"rendered":"Paxton Demands Water Usage Reports From 156 Texas Data Centers"},"content":{"rendered":"

More than 150 data center developments across Texas have been ordered to provide accurate information about their water usage as part of an ongoing investigation into compliance with state law.<\/p>\n

Attorney General Ken Paxton<\/a> announced that his office has sent letters to 156 data center developments, marking the latest step in an investigation launched last month targeting hundreds of projects, including those that failed to respond to the Texas Water Development Board\u2019s water-use survey.<\/p>\n

According to the attorney general\u2019s office, the letters notify developers that they must provide up-to-date and accurate information about their water usage.<\/p>\n

\u201cData center developers must follow the law and respect the Texans and communities affected by their operations,\u201d said Paxton. \u201cI am actively investigating data centers across Texas to make sure that Texans and our natural resources are protected.\u201d<\/p>\n

The letters were sent to developments in 30 counties, including Harris, Dallas, Tarrant, Travis, Bexar, Collin, Denton, Montgomery, and Williamson.<\/p>\n

The latest action follows a series of enforcement measures<\/a> initiated by Gov. Greg Abbott<\/a> last month amid concerns about the rapidly expanding industry\u2019s demands on the state\u2019s water and energy resources.<\/p>\n

Abbott previously directed the Texas Water Development Board to enforce water-use reporting requirements against data centers that had failed to comply with state law.<\/p>\n

Sources indicated at the time that roughly 80 percent of data centers required to submit information about their water usage had failed to respond to the state\u2019s survey.<\/p>\n

Under Texas law, TWDB conducts surveys of entities using groundwater and surface water for municipal, industrial, power generation, and mining purposes.<\/p>\n

Abbott directed the agency to pursue legal consequences for noncompliance, including referring potential violations to county or district attorneys and notifying state environmental regulators about possible permit disqualifications.<\/p>\n

The governor also ordered the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to halt permits for data center projects pending completion of an ongoing state audit.<\/p>\n

Paxton subsequently announced his office was investigating<\/a> hundreds of developments to determine whether they were complying with state reporting requirements.<\/p>\n

The attorney general\u2019s office says its investigation remains ongoing as data center development continues to expand across Texas.<\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

\n Brandon serves as the Senior Editor for Texas Scorecard. After managing successful campaigns for top conservative legislators and serving as a Chief of Staff in the Texas Capitol, Brandon moved outside the dome in order to shine a spotlight on conservative victories and establishment corruption in Austin.
\n
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