Republican, Governor of Texas
Now: Governor verified October 12, 2026 · source (opens in a new tab)
On your ballot Governor, Texas, In office (certified list (opens in a new tab), verified October 9, 2026)
Photo: NASA Johnson Space Center / NASA-JSC/ROBERT MARKOWITZ, public domain (opens in a new tab), via Wikimedia Commons (opens in a new tab), cropped.
Checked · How the record reads leaders · Report a change · Corrections
Of 40 statements on the record, 4 were for data centers, 25 raised concerns about data centers and 11 carry no label.
Labels are applied by the record's published rules: two readings of each statement, and a third that reads its source where the two differ. Every label sits beside its statement and its source, and any label can be challenged through Report a change, with the correction logged on the corrections page.
Position History: Chronological record of positions across sourced statements.
- · Supports · NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth
- · Raises concern · KUT
- · Supports · KUT
- · Raises concern · Washington Examiner
- · Raises concern · Washington Examiner
- · Supports · Washington Examiner
- · Raises concern · Brookings
- · Raises concern · Business Insider
Position note: Follows earlier 2025 announcements welcoming hyperscale data center investments in Texas, shifting in summer 2026 toward water reporting enforcement and grid connection reviews.
- · Raises concern · Texas Scorecard
- · Raises concern · Houston Public Media
- · Supports · Texas Standard
- · Raises concern · NewsRadio 740 KTRH
- · Raises concern · ABC13 Houston
- · Raises concern · 24/7 Wall St.
- · Raises concern · KCBD
Position note: Earlier statements in November 2025 promoted Texas as the national hub for AI data center buildouts, before August and September 2026 directives halted new TCEQ permits and required ERCOT grid audits.
- · Raises concern · ABC13 Houston
- · Raises concern · Energies Media
- · Raises concern · KCBD
- · Raises concern · Texas Scorecard
- · Raises concern · EastTexasRadio.com
- · Raises concern · TheEnergyMag
- · Raises concern · Realtor.com
- · Raises concern · EastTexasRadio.com
- · Raises concern · EastTexasRadio.com
- · Raises concern · Briefs Finance
- · Supports · NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth
- · Raises concern · CBS News
- · Raises concern · KXII
- · Raises concern · parametric-architecture.com
- · Raises concern · KEYE
What they said
-
Abbott has called for eliminating sales tax breaks and other unnecessary incentives for data center facilities
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Paraphrased from source.
Where & When: October 15, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- Texarkana Gazette (opens in a new tab), news outlet
Archived copy: Wayback Machine (opens in a new tab).
-
Abbott said data centers should pay for the electrical infrastructure they need, use water efficient cooling systems, report their electricity and water consumption and limit noise and other disruptions
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Paraphrased from source.
Where & When: October 15, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- Texarkana Gazette (opens in a new tab), news outlet
Archived copy: Wayback Machine (opens in a new tab).
-
Gov. Greg Abbott said he wants the Legislature to put his restrictions on data centers into law next year
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Paraphrased from source.
Where & When: October 15, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- Texarkana Gazette (opens in a new tab), news outlet
Archived copy: Wayback Machine (opens in a new tab).
-
Gov. Greg Abbott says Texas is slowing data center development while the state gathers more information about water use, power demand and permits
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Paraphrased from source.
Where & When: September 28, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- KEYE (opens in a new tab), local outlet
Label rationale: Both readings of the statement agreed. The words that set it: "Texas is slowing data center development while the state gathers more information about water use, power demand and permits".
-
Abbott told supporters he wants the legislature to pass rules and regulations that will empower local governments to be decision makers about whether data centers will go up in their county or city.
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Paraphrased from source.
Where & When: September 27, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- CBS News (opens in a new tab), national outlet
-
Abbott signaled push to eliminate remaining financial incentives for data center industry in next legislative session
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Paraphrased from source. Label set by a tiebreak.
Where & When: September 25, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- parametric-architecture.com (opens in a new tab), trade press
Label rationale: A tiebreak: the two first readings differed, and a third reading of the statement and its source decided. The words that set it: "Abbott has signaled that next legislative session he will push to eliminate remaining financial incentives for the industry.".
-
Gov. Abbott said he wants to give residents power to decide whether a data center can come to their community
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Paraphrased from source.
Where & When: September 24, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- KXII (opens in a new tab), local outlet
Label rationale: Both readings of the statement agreed. The words that set it: "he wants to give residents power to decide whether a data center can come to their community".
-
Abbott says data centers must pay their own way, protect the grid and water, and complete audits
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Paraphrased from source.
Where & When: September 22, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- EastTexasRadio.com (opens in a new tab), local outlet
Label rationale: Both readings of the statement agreed. The words that set it: "data centers must pay their own way, protect the grid and water, and complete audits".
-
Abbott said projects should bear their electrical infrastructure costs, lower household electricity bills and avoid drawing on water needed by local communities
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Paraphrased from source.
Where & When: September 22, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- TheEnergyMag (opens in a new tab), trade press
Label rationale: Both readings of the statement agreed. The words that set it: "projects should bear their electrical infrastructure costs, lower household electricity bills and avoid drawing on water needed by local communities".
-
Abbott reversed his prior support for data center development in Texas, citing local community concerns.
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Paraphrased from source.
Where & When: September 22, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- The Real Deal (opens in a new tab), trade press
Label rationale: No label: the words are not clearly the speaker's own. Both readings of the statement held it.
-
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
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Paraphrased from source.
Where & When: September 22, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- Realtor.com (opens in a new tab), national outlet
Label rationale: Both readings of the statement agreed. The words that set it: "phase out any economic incentives for data center projects and will work with the Texas Legislature to make that happen".
-
Abbott wants state lawmakers to eliminate tax incentives for data centers when they return to Austin next year
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Paraphrased from source. Label set by a tiebreak.
Where & When: September 22, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- EastTexasRadio.com (opens in a new tab), local outlet
Label rationale: A tiebreak: the two first readings differed, and a third reading of the statement and its source decided. The words that set it: "data centers must pay their own way, protect our grid and water and complete those audits.".
-
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
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Paraphrased from source.
Where & When: September 22, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- EastTexasRadio.com (opens in a new tab), local outlet
Label rationale: Both readings of the statement agreed. The words that set it: "audits aim to ensure data centers do not make the power grid less reliable and must cover all their own electrical infrastructure costs".
-
Governor Abbott stated he will work with the Legislature to eliminate financial incentives for data centers
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Paraphrased from source.
Where & When: September 22, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- Briefs Finance (opens in a new tab), national outlet
Label rationale: Both readings of the statement agreed. The words that set it: "he will work with the Legislature to eliminate financial incentives for data centers".
-
Ten months ago Abbott said he wanted Texas to be the epicenter of AI development during a Google data center investment event.
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Paraphrased from source.
Where & When: September 22, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (opens in a new tab), local outlet
Label rationale: Both readings of the statement agreed. The words that set it: "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
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Paraphrased from source.
Where & When: September 22, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- CBS News (opens in a new tab), national outlet
Label rationale: Both readings of the statement agreed. The words that set it: "necessity to rein in the data center industry that was completely out of control".
-
Data centers must not use water needed by local communities, must report electricity and water usage, and must abide by setback requirements
Position note: Earlier statements in November 2025 promoted Texas as the national hub for AI data center buildouts, before August and September 2026 directives halted new TCEQ permits and required ERCOT grid audits.
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Paraphrased from source.
Where & When: September 21, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- KCBD (opens in a new tab), primary source
Archived copy: Wayback Machine (opens in a new tab).
Label rationale: Both readings of the statement agreed. The words that set it: "Data centers must not use water needed by local communities, must report electricity and water usage, and must abide by setback requirements".
-
Abbott plans to work with lawmakers to eliminate tax breaks for data centers
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Paraphrased from source. Label set by a tiebreak.
Where & When: September 21, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- ABC13 Houston (opens in a new tab), local outlet
Label rationale: A tiebreak: the two first readings differed, and a third reading of the statement and its source decided. The words that set it: "The governor has said he wants lawmakers to eliminate tax breaks for data centers.".
-
Governor Abbott directed that projects failing to meet audit requirements could be denied grid access entirely
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Paraphrased from source. Label set by a tiebreak.
Where & When: September 21, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- Energies Media (opens in a new tab), news outlet
Label rationale: A tiebreak: the two first readings differed, and a third reading of the statement and its source decided. The words that set it: "projects failing to meet audit requirements could be denied grid access entirely".
-
Data center projects must cover all electrical infrastructure costs, result in lower residential electrical bills, and complete the ERCOT audit
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Paraphrased from source.
Where & When: September 21, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- KCBD (opens in a new tab), primary source
Archived copy: Wayback Machine (opens in a new tab).
Label rationale: Both readings of the statement agreed. The words that set it: "must cover all electrical infrastructure costs, result in lower residential electrical bills, and complete the ERCOT audit".
-
Data centers must cover their electrical infrastructure costs to receive permits
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Paraphrased from source.
Where & When: September 21, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- Texas Scorecard (opens in a new tab), local outlet
Label rationale: Both readings of the statement agreed. The words that set it: "Data centers must cover their electrical infrastructure costs to receive permits".
-
Fewer than 10% of data center companies responded to a state request for information needed to forecast future electricity demand, according to Governor Abbott
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Paraphrased from source. Label set by a tiebreak.
Where & When: September 19, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- 24/7 Wall St. (opens in a new tab), national outlet
Label rationale: A tiebreak: the two first readings differed, and a third reading of the statement and its source decided. The words that set it: "Fewer than 10% of data center companies responded to a state request for information needed to forecast future electricity demand".
-
Gov. Abbott issued a directive to the Texas Water Development Board to penalize data centers that don't comply with state water laws
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Paraphrased from source. Label set by a tiebreak.
Where & When: September 15, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- ABC13 Houston (opens in a new tab), local outlet
Label rationale: A tiebreak: the two first readings differed, and a third reading of the statement and its source decided. The words that set it: "calling for the Texas Water Development Board to penalize data centers that don't obey state water laws".
-
Data centers appear to have committed civil and criminal violations by failing to provide water usage information
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Paraphrased from source. Label set by a tiebreak.
Where & When: September 14, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- Houston Public Media (opens in a new tab), local outlet
Label rationale: A tiebreak: the two first readings differed, and a third reading of the statement and its source decided. The words that set it: "data centers and other major water users "appear to have committed civil and criminal violations by failing to provide TWDB with information about [their] water usage."".
-
TWDB is in charge of developing a state water plan to meet the needs of Texas
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Paraphrased from source. Label set by a tiebreak.
Where & When: September 14, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- Houston Public Media (opens in a new tab), local outlet
Label rationale: No label: the words support none. The two first readings differed, and a third reading of the statement and its source held it.
-
Gov. Greg Abbott previously promised to make Texas a hub for data center developments
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Paraphrased from source. Label set by a tiebreak.
Where & When: September 14, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- Texas Standard (opens in a new tab), local outlet
Label rationale: A tiebreak: the two first readings differed, and a third reading of the statement and its source decided. The words that set it: "Abbott previously promised to make Texas a hub for data center developments".
-
Governor Abbott directs TWDB to penalize major water users, including data centers, for failure to comply with water use reporting requirements.
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Paraphrased from source.
Where & When: September 14, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- NewsRadio 740 KTRH (opens in a new tab), primary source
Archived copy: Wayback Machine (opens in a new tab).
Label rationale: Both readings of the statement agreed. The words that set it: "directs TWDB to penalize major water users, including data centers, for failure to comply with water use reporting requirements".
-
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
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Paraphrased from source.
Where & When: September 9, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- Texas Scorecard (opens in a new tab), local outlet
Label rationale: Both readings of the statement agreed. The words that set it: "ordered state regulators to conduct a comprehensive audit of all data centers advancing through the interconnection process before any additional projects are approved".
-
Gov. Greg Abbott has changed position on data centers and taken legislative recommendations and steps
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Paraphrased from source.
Where & When: September 9, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- The Gilmer Mirror (opens in a new tab), news outlet
Label rationale: No label: the words are not clearly the speaker's own. Both readings of the statement held it.
-
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott halted new data center connections to the state's power grid pending a comprehensive regulatory audit
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Paraphrased from source.
Where & When: September 3, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- WFIN (opens in a new tab), national outlet
Label rationale: No label: the words are not clearly the speaker's own. Both readings of the statement held it.
-
Texas Governor Greg Abbott said his data center pivot was driven by legitimate concerns from Texans, not Chinese propaganda
Position note: Follows earlier 2025 announcements welcoming hyperscale data center investments in Texas, shifting in summer 2026 toward water reporting enforcement and grid connection reviews.
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Paraphrased from source. Label set by a tiebreak.
Where & When: August 29, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- Business Insider (opens in a new tab), national outlet
Label rationale: A tiebreak: the two first readings differed, and a third reading of the statement and its source decided. The words that set it: "his data center pivot was driven by legitimate concerns from Texans, not by Chinese propaganda".
-
Gov. Greg Abbott recently endorsed an 'audit' of data center development while Texas studies their impact
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Paraphrased from source. Label set by a tiebreak.
Where & When: August 25, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- Brookings (opens in a new tab), national outlet
Label rationale: A tiebreak: the two first readings differed, and a third reading of the statement and its source decided. The words that set it: "Abbott recently endorsed an “ audit ” of data center development while the state studies their impact.".
-
Governor Greg Abbott's directive has halted roughly 1,800 data center projects in Texas
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Paraphrased from source.
Where & When: August 24, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- Fox News (opens in a new tab), national outlet
-
Abbott told ABC News gaining support of people in local communities is essential for data center development
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Paraphrased from source. Label set by a tiebreak.
Where & When: August 23, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- Washington Examiner (opens in a new tab), national outlet
Label rationale: A tiebreak: the two first readings differed, and a third reading of the statement and its source decided. The words that set it: "gaining support of people in local communities is essential for data center development".
-
Gov. Greg Abbott said technology companies that develop data centers dug their own grave when they failed to win the support of local communities
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Paraphrased from source.
Where & When: August 23, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- Washington Examiner (opens in a new tab), national outlet
Label rationale: Both readings of the statement agreed. The words that set it: "technology companies that develop data centers dug their own grave when they failed to win the support of local communities".
-
Abbott previously called Texas the epicenter of AI development after Google announced a 40 billion dollar investment
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Paraphrased from source.
Where & When: August 23, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- Washington Examiner (opens in a new tab), national outlet
Label rationale: Both readings of the statement agreed. The words that set it: "Texas the epicenter of AI development after Google announced a 40 billion dollar investment".
-
In June 2026, Abbott declared he is 'pushing back against these AI data centers that are trying to build in our neighborhoods'
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Paraphrased from source.
Where & When: August 19, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- KUT (opens in a new tab), local outlet
Label rationale: Both readings of the statement agreed. The words that set it: "pushing back against these AI data centers that are trying to build in our neighborhoods".
-
Gov. Greg Abbott announced three massive data center projects in Texas in November 2025 alongside Google CEO Sundar Pichai
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Paraphrased from source. Label set by a tiebreak.
Where & When: August 19, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- KUT (opens in a new tab), local outlet
Label rationale: A tiebreak: the two first readings differed, and a third reading of the statement and its source decided. The words that set it: "Gov. Greg Abbott declared Texas the “epicenter of AI development” while announcing three massive data center projects in the state.".
-
By August 18, Abbott said about 20 companies agreed to comply with his standards
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Paraphrased from source.
Where & When: August 18, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- ABC13 Houston (opens in a new tab), local outlet
Label rationale: No label: the words support none. Both readings of the statement held it.
-
"We must ensure that America remains at the forefront of the AI revolution, and Texas is the place where that can happen."
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Direct verbatim quote from source. Counterpoints: Abbott commented on the investment during the announcement, framing it as essential to U.S. technological leadership.
Where & When: Press announcement · November 15, 2025.
Primary Sources:
- NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (opens in a new tab), local outlet
Where we looked
The record last searched for Greg Abbott's words on October 20, 2026.
How they voted
No vote on a data center measure on the record.
Others in this race
- Gina Hinojosa Democratic · Governor · the race page
- Pat Dixon Libertarian · Governor · the race page
Something missing?
Know a sourced statement by Greg Abbott on data centers that is not here? Send the link. It goes to the record's inbox as a card routed to this person and publishes only after it is read against its source.
Are you Greg Abbott or on the campaign? Ask for a correction or send a statement, or email corrections@datacenterrecord.org.
Data Center Record, "Public statements by Greg Abbott", https://datacenterrecord.org/speakers/greg-abbott, last verified October 25, 2026.
Reusing this page
The structured rows are CC BY-NC 4.0. Link to this page; that is what turns a reuse into a citation. Prose stays under copyright.
Last verified: October 12, 2026.