Governor of Texas
Gov. Greg Abbott says Texas is slowing data center development while the state gathers more information about water use, power demand and permits
Statements / Candidates / Texas: Governor
Greg Abbott
REPUBLICAN, the incumbent. Candidate for Governor, Texas, on the November 3, 2026 ballot.
Listed by the Texas Secretary of State, Candidate Information (qualified candidates search), election '2026 NOVEMBER GENERAL ELECTION' (idElection 53815), read through the application's own API at /api-ivis-cbp/api/cbp/findQualifiedCandidates (no date stated (live database; each candidate row carries its own filing date)). Office, district and party are as the list gives them; the record adds no judgment.
In their own words
Gov. Greg Abbott says Texas is slowing data center development while the state gathers more information about water use, power demand and permits (as reported, September 28, 2026)
The newest statement on the record, quoted where the source quotes it; the full list is below. No for or against word is added.
Statements on data centers 36
Texas Governor
Abbott signaled push to eliminate remaining financial incentives for data center industry in next legislative session
Governor of Texas
Gov. Abbott said he wants to give residents power to decide whether a data center can come to their community
Governor of Texas
Abbott says data centers must pay their own way, protect the grid and water, and complete audits
Governor of Texas
Abbott said projects should bear their electrical infrastructure costs, lower household electricity bills and avoid drawing on water needed by local communities
Governor of Texas
Gov. Greg Abbott said during a campaign stop in Gainesville that Texas needs to rein in the data center industry and has added state oversight of new projects.
Abbott reversed his prior support for data center development in Texas, citing local community concerns.
Governor of Texas
Abbott said he would aim to phase out any economic incentives for data center projects and will work with the Texas Legislature to make that happen
Governor of Texas
Abbott wants state lawmakers to eliminate tax incentives for data centers when they return to Austin next year
Governor of Texas
Abbott says audits aim to ensure data centers do not make the power grid less reliable and must cover all their own electrical infrastructure costs
Governor of Texas
Governor Abbott stated he will work with the Legislature to eliminate financial incentives for data centers
Governor of Texas
Ten months ago Abbott said he wanted Texas to be the epicenter of AI development during a Google data center investment event.
Greg Abbott, Texas Governor, said the necessity to rein in the data center industry that was completely out of control
Greg Abbott, Governor of Texas
Data centers must not use water needed by local communities, must report electricity and water usage, and must abide by setback requirements
Governor of Texas
Abbott plans to work with lawmakers to eliminate tax breaks for data centers
Texas Governor
Governor Abbott directed that projects failing to meet audit requirements could be denied grid access entirely
Greg Abbott, Governor of Texas
Data center projects must cover all electrical infrastructure costs, result in lower residential electrical bills, and complete the ERCOT audit
Greg Abbott, Governor of Texas
Data centers must cover their electrical infrastructure costs to receive permits
Governor of Texas
Fewer than 10% of data center companies responded to a state request for information needed to forecast future electricity demand, according to Governor Abbott
Governor of Texas
Governor Greg Abbott in Texas called for pause to new data center construction
Governor of Texas
Gov. Abbott issued a directive to the Texas Water Development Board to penalize data centers that don't comply with state water laws
Greg Abbott, Governor of Texas
Data centers appear to have committed civil and criminal violations by failing to provide water usage information
Greg Abbott, Governor of Texas
TWDB is in charge of developing a state water plan to meet the needs of Texas
Governor of Texas
Gov. Greg Abbott previously promised to make Texas a hub for data center developments
Governor of Texas
Governor Abbott directs TWDB to penalize major water users, including data centers, for failure to comply with water use reporting requirements.
Texas Governor
Gov. Greg Abbott ordered state regulators to conduct a comprehensive audit of all data centers advancing through the interconnection process before any additional projects are approved
Governor of Texas
Gov. Greg Abbott has changed position on data centers and taken legislative recommendations and steps
Texas Governor
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott halted new data center connections to the state's power grid pending a comprehensive regulatory audit
Texas Governor Greg Abbott said his data center pivot was driven by legitimate concerns from Texans, not Chinese propaganda
Texas Governor
Gov. Greg Abbott recently endorsed an 'audit' of data center development while Texas studies their impact
Governor
Abbott told ABC News gaining support of people in local communities is essential for data center development
Governor
Gov. Greg Abbott said technology companies that develop data centers dug their own grave when they failed to win the support of local communities
Governor
Abbott previously called Texas the epicenter of AI development after Google announced a 40 billion dollar investment
Governor
In June 2026, Abbott declared he is 'pushing back against these AI data centers that are trying to build in our neighborhoods'
Governor
Gov. Greg Abbott announced three massive data center projects in Texas in November 2025 alongside Google CEO Sundar Pichai
Governor of Texas
By August 18, Abbott said about 20 companies agreed to comply with his standards
Recorded votes on data center bills 0
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