What was said about data centers in Texas
165 statements from 75 speakers, grouped by who spoke. Each appears as said, with the date and the source. No verdict is attached.
From June 11, 2026 to October 2, 2026. Statements from every state are on Statements.
Data center companies 13
Developers, operators and builders of data centers and the technology companies that fill them, speaking through their staff and spokespeople. Every state.
-
Bill Kleyman, Data Center World
AI is driving demand for new data centers requiring enormous amounts of electricity
-
Digital Realty Trust
Digital Realty publicly committed on August 7 to Texas Governor Greg Abbott's data center standards
-
Cushman & Wakefield ranked Dallas No. 1 global data center location
-
Cushman & Wakefield analyzed over 100 global markets evaluating power infrastructure, politics, regulatory conditions and ability to hold data
-
Meta Platforms, Inc.
Meta said on August 10 that it would pay the full costs associated with its data centers' energy and water use rather than shift them to consumers
-
Cushman & Wakefield
Dallas surpassed Virginia which had held No. 1 position for over 25 years
-
Digital Realty Trust, Inc.
Digital Realty welcomed the Texas framework on August 7
-
Head of Public Affairs, Fluidstack
Kate Franko, Head of Public Affairs at Fluidstack, states company pays full local property taxes and builds to Governor's standards
-
Kate Franko, Fluidstack head of public affairs
Fluidstack will pay full local property taxes without requesting tax abatements or county incentives
-
Kate Franko, Fluidstack head of public affairs
Fluidstack will pay for its own energy and infrastructure
-
Synjyn Dodd, Hoar Construction
Data centers have tied up large swaths of steel and concrete supply
-
Meta spokesperson
Meta pledged to pay for own infrastructure and launched fund for water and energy infrastructure investment
-
OpenAI pledged to pay for own infrastructure, support new electricity sources and minimize water usage
Government 86
Officials in office, lawmakers, regulators, public agencies and courts, federal, state, tribal and local. Every state.
-
Trump begins a 32 day campaign blitz in Texas and Oklahoma to support Republican candidates
-
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
-
Sid Miller, Texas Commissioner of Agriculture
Governor Abbott received $21 million from data center interests
-
Texas Commissioner of Agriculture
Miller called for a one year moratorium on data centers in Texas
-
Texas Governor
Abbott signaled push to eliminate remaining financial incentives for data center industry in next legislative session
-
Texas Governor
Gov. Abbott declared Texas the 'epicenter of AI development' and announced three massive data center projects in the state, sitting beside Google CEO Sundar Pichai
-
Texas Governor
In June, Abbott declared he is 'pushing back against these AI data centers that are trying to build in our neighborhoods' at a campaign stop in Bullard, Texas
-
San Marcos City Council Member
Council Member Amanda Rodriguez said 'I think there are some fights worth setting the precedent and trying' regarding San Marcos data center ban
-
Grimes County Judge Joe Fauth said Terafab project is classified as chip manufacturing plant with an on site data center only to aid the manufacturing business.
-
District 62 State Representative
State Rep. Shelley Luther said lawmakers are preparing to partner with governor to deliver on property tax and data center priorities
-
Sherman Mayor Shawn Teamann said residents raised concerns about cost of living, gas, insurance, housing, taxation and efficiency
-
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
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
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
-
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
-
Texas state senator
State Sen. Tan Parker plans to introduce data center legislation at the Texas Legislature starting Jan. 12, 2027
-
Texas state senator
Parker's legislation will establish public discussion and transparency requirements for data centers
-
Securities and Exchange Commission
A 2016 SEC lawsuit accused Paxton and William Mapp of concealing stock compensation from investors and allowing Paxton to operate as an unregistered broker
-
then-State Senator
Paxton held at least 10,000 shares of Servergy stock in 2012 and 2013 when he voted for data center tax breaks
-
Texas Attorney General
Paxton's office filed an amicus brief supporting Sulphur Springs in its fight to build a massive data center last November
-
then-State Senator
In 2013, Paxton voted for tax exemptions providing tax breaks for Texas based data centers
-
Ken Paxton, Texas Attorney General and Republican Senate candidate, holds up to $6.8 million in mutual funds invested in data center or AI companies
-
then-State Senator
Paxton was issued 100,000 shares of Servergy stock as compensation for recruiting investors
-
Bee County Judge George P. Morrill III stated that while Texas is a private property rights state, a clearer legislative framework is needed to navigate the balance between property rights and broader economic and environmental impacts on rural communities
-
Texas Workforce Commission
Texas does not keep a public, separate count of how many people work at data centers, what jobs they hold or what they earn
-
President of the United States
President Trump warned that communities blocking data center facilities would end up being backwards and poor
-
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
-
Texas governor (unnamed)
Texas governor wants data centers penalized for not responding to water inquiry
-
State Representative
State Rep. Helen Kerwin urged Abbott in March to consider pausing large scale data center development in rural communities
-
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 State Representative
Hinojosa and other Democrats are calling for an immediate moratorium on new data centers and an end to tax handouts for developers
-
Keisha Lance Bottoms, U.S. Representative
Rick Jackson is invested in a data center in Texas that has received backlash from residents
-
Eddie Treviño Jr.
Cameron County Judge Eddie Treviño, Jr. states county is obligated by state law to issue permit once developer meets all requirements but must monitor compliance
-
State Senator Adam Hinojosa states data centers should strengthen communities and secure their own power and water resources
-
Cameron County Commissioner David A. Garza endorses Fluidstack's commitment to pay own energy and infrastructure costs and maintain low water usage
-
Matt Krause, Tarrant County Commissioner
A planned data center in Westlake was discussed at the town hall
-
Tarrant County Commissioner
Krause said the state could develop a legislative agenda for data centers for the 2027 session
-
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
-
Texas State Representative
Cole Hefner, incumbent Republican state representative for Texas House District 5, supports data center regulations to protect water but not a moratorium
-
Governor of Texas
Gov. Greg Abbott has changed position on data centers and taken legislative recommendations and steps
-
President Trump issued an executive order trying to make it easier to build data centers but also promoted a bill to protect people from having data center power bill increases
-
Texas Governor
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott halted new data center connections to the state's power grid pending a comprehensive regulatory audit
-
David Bristol, Prosper Mayor, spoke against Project Tomahawk as a private resident, calling for denial because there were no local or state guidelines for data centers.
-
Texas Governor Greg Abbott said his data center pivot was driven by legitimate concerns from Texans, not Chinese propaganda
-
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton released a data center plan that mirrors Abbott's tougher posture, including limits near neighborhoods and requirements that companies pay for their own power infrastructure
-
Texas Governor
Gov. Greg Abbott recently endorsed an 'audit' of data center development while Texas studies their impact
-
San Antonio City Council
District 6 Councilmember stated that District 6 has been at the epicenter of data center growth with resident concerns about neighborhood impacts and transparency in the development process.
-
Ken Paxton, Texas Attorney General, announced plan to address data center concerns
-
Texas Attorney General
Paxton supports Gov. Abbott's initiatives including repealing sales tax exemptions for data centers
-
Texas Attorney General
Paxton proposes legislation to prohibit Chinese technology in data centers and American infrastructure
-
Texas Attorney General
Paxton proposes legislation to hold data centers criminally liable if they use AI chatbots to undermine children's safety
-
Texas Attorney General
Paxton co sponsors the DATA Act to speed up energy projects by removing federal red tape
-
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
-
State Senator (R-Houston), chair of Senate Local Government Committee
Paul Bettencourt, state senator, said counties do not have the legal authority to ban data center construction
-
State Senator (R-Houston), chair of Senate Local Government Committee
Paul Bettencourt said he is open to Texas' 254 counties having more input on data centers but stressed critical importance to state and country economic development
Chief executives 4
Chief executives, presidents, founders and chairs of companies, in technology, data centers, power and elsewhere. Every state.
-
John Arnold, Arnold Ventures Co founder and Co Chair, discussed why data centers have become a lightning rod topic ahead of midterm elections.
-
Co-founder, Allegiance Search
Craig Thompson argues that on top of powered land and capital, developers need public support, as community opposition is creating delays and uncertainty.
-
Dave Schaeffer, CEO Cogent Communications
There is insufficient fiber supply despite advances in transmission capacity, with hyperscalers building two or three smaller data centers in a 30-35 mile circumference instead of one in major metros
-
SLB Chief Executive Officer
Olivier Le Peuch, SLB CEO, stated that artificial intelligence is driving the most significant infrastructure investment cycle and called the transaction precipitous to the company's ambition to become an industrial technology partner to the data center industry
Candidates and campaigns 24
People running for office, their campaigns and their parties. A candidate who does not hold the office is not an official. Every state.
-
Shehla Faizi, Green Party nominee for Texas comptroller, called for transparency on data center construction, stating the state lacks concrete data on job creation benefits from AI data centers.
-
James Talarico, Democratic Senate candidate, said data center construction in Texas should not be allowed to contribute to the state's ongoing affordability crisis and that data centers should not be allowed unless they can meet community demands, pay for their own energy and water, and get community consent.
-
Democratic Senate candidate
Talarico said he has not taken campaign donations from data center companies, while his opponent Ken Paxton has taken nearly half a million dollars from data center companies.
-
U.S. Senate candidate
Ken Paxton's Texas First Data Center Plan combines federal legislation with state level support, including prohibiting Chinese technology in data centers, criminal liability for AI safety violations, supporting the DATA Act, and backing Abbott's proposals for noise/light controls, traffic planning, rural neighborhood restrictions, sales tax exemption repeal, and closed loop water systems.
-
U.S. Senate candidate
James Talarico's Hold Data Centers Accountable Plan would repeal tax incentives, give local residents input on construction, require AI companies to pay for electricity and water infrastructure, hold data centers accountable for water pollution, and create an AI Dividend.
-
Catherine Frazier, Texans for Greg Abbott communications director
Gina Hinojosa voted for HB 3104 in 2023, which would have expanded sales tax exemption for multi structure connected data centers
Not on the record: the record holds no HB 3104 of 2023 in Texas. Read from the statement's words: Gina Hinojosa voted for HB 3104 (2023). Checked against the bills and roll calls the record holds.
-
Catherine Frazier, Texans for Greg Abbott communications director
Greg Abbott supported data center tax incentives in Texas
-
Catherine Frazier, Texans for Greg Abbott communications director
Gina Hinojosa voted for HB 4038 in 2017, which continued tax breaks for data centers
Not on the record: the record holds H.B. 4038 and no roll call on it. Read from the statement's words: Gina Hinojosa voted for HB 4038 (2017). The record holds the bill and no roll call on it.
Bill data from LegiScan, licensed CC BY 4.0. The record chooses the bills, writes each stage in its own words and cites the legislature's own page for every bill.
-
Democratic candidate for Texas governor
Gina Hinojosa claims Abbott focuses on donors and has accused him of selling out Texas communities to data center corporations
-
Political strategists
Data center opposition is a potent political issue in Texas governor and Senate races for 2026 midterm elections
-
Gina Hinojosa, Democratic gubernatorial candidate, said the Governor could change his mind on the pause after November 4
-
State Representative and gubernatorial candidate
Candidate Gina Hinojosa called for a data center moratorium, union job requirements, elimination of NDAs, proof that households will not pay more for electricity or water, end to tax subsidies, and enforcement of water supply protection
-
Democratic Candidate for Texas House District 5
Hector Garza, Democratic challenger for Texas House District 5, advocates for a moratorium on data center construction
-
The National Republican Senatorial Committee warned that data centers are the anchor hanging around Husted's neck
-
Clayton Tucker
Democratic candidate for Texas Agriculture Commissioner raising data center regulation as campaign issue
-
Texas Attorney General and U.S. Senate nominee
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton unveiled a four point plan to curb rapid data center growth
-
Texas gubernatorial candidate
Texas Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gina Hinojosa asserted that Gov. Greg Abbott is too sympathetic to data centers and that there needs better balance between tech and community concerns
-
Republican Party of Texas Legislative Priorities Committee member and Bexar County judge candidate
Patrick Von Dohlen said at least a quarter of 160 plus testimony speakers were concerned about AI data centers
-
Republican Party of Texas proposes prohibiting all tax payer funded incentives, property tax abatements, corporate welfare, or economic development packages for data centers
-
Republican Party of Texas proposes requiring major data centers to secure their own independent power generation and non potable water sources
-
Republican Party of Texas convention delegate
Rolando Garcia said data centers use massive amounts of water and electricity, and Texas is already having problems with its electrical grid and water infrastructure
-
Republican Party of Texas proposes granting cities and counties final authority over zoning, land development, and comprehensive planning decisions for data centers
-
Republican Party of Texas Legislative Priorities Committee named regulating AI as the 15th of its top 15 priorities for the 2027 Legislature
-
Republican Party of Texas proposes mandating that data center construction companies pay full impact fees to compensate communities
Business groups and unions 4
Chambers of commerce, trade associations and labor unions. Every state.
-
Housing industry leaders
The demand for skilled labor in data center construction is creating competition for workers needed in homebuilding and other construction industries.
-
Stephen Bauer, Texas Farm Bureau District 10 state director
Texas Farm Bureau supports responsible economic development but stressed new projects should not compromise natural resources, infrastructure and agricultural lands
-
Texas Farm Bureau
Data center development is expanding across Texas
-
Stephen Bauer, Texas Farm Bureau District 10 state director
Water remains a greatest concern for farm and ranch members facing drought, declining aquifers and competition for limited water supplies
Advocates and residents 6
Advocacy and community groups on every side, residents, neighbors and people speaking at public meetings. Every state.
-
Bethanie Carney Almroth, UN Special Rapporteur on toxics and human rights, emphasized PFAS issue is a matter of global environmental justice.
-
International Chemical Secretariat report finds expansion of top 10 PFAS producers is driven by AI and data center infrastructure, semiconductor manufacturing, and lithium ion battery materials.
-
Environmental Protection Network
EPN report outlines 30 federal actions increasing pollution related health risks including fast tracking data center permitting.
-
Environmental Protection Network released a report on hazards from data center expansion.
-
Save Our Springs Alliance Communications Director
Kate Csillagi, communications director for the Save Our Springs Alliance, says state leaders are not doing enough to protect the state and its citizens
-
Public Citizen
Within two years, Texas could become home to more data centers than any other state in the nation
Researchers and analysts 6
Universities, research institutes, think tanks, pollsters, economists and consultants. Every state.
-
Political analysts
Democrats have broadly staked out a clear position against data centers, while Republicans play defense as public opinion turns against the facilities
-
Karen Mooney
MD Anderson Cancer Center delayed two projects planned for next five years due to data center boom impacts
-
Karen Mooney, MD Anderson Cancer Center
Data center development in Texas is straining demand for construction materials and equipment
-
TCU director of Institute for Environmental Studies
Mike Slattery, TCU director, appointed to lead commission and assemble panel
-
Texas Christian University director of Institute for Environmental Studies
Michael Slattery, TCU director of Institute for Environmental Studies, serves as chairman of the commission
-
A June poll from the University of Texas/Texas Politics Project found that 56% of Texas voters don't want a data center in their community, and in rural areas, that number jumped to 62%
Other voices 22
Journalists, lawyers, former officials, and speakers the source describes in words that name none of the groups above. Every state.
-
Johnson Controls' integrated thermal management approach can reduce non IT energy consumption by up to 50% compared with conventional cooling methods.
-
Texas Standard
Local communities are finding they may have limited power to stop the projects.
-
Texas Standard
Opposition grows across the political spectrum to data center projects.
-
Texas Standard
Hundreds of new data centers are planned across Texas, many to meet the computing demands of artificial intelligence.
-
Sujeeth Draksharam, Infrakey executive
Infrakey said it is prepared to submit necessary water and energy information to state regulators by October 12, 2026 filing deadline.
-
Reid Wilson
Data centers have become a central issue in the governor's reelection race
-
Partner, Jackson Walker LLP
Meghan E. Griffiths, Co Chair of Jackson Walker's Digital Infrastructure & Data Centers practice, participated in a panel session at Data Center World Power Conference 2026 (September 21-23) discussing how ERCOT's unique market structure shapes power procurement strategies for Texas data centers.
-
Quintrace, esVolta, and LevelTen Energy
Three month Google sponsored battery storage pilot project in Texas
-
The Guardian
PFAS are used in two phase immersion cooling systems where servers are immersed in PFAS fluid with low boiling point to draw heat away.
-
Daikin plans to more than triple its fluoropolymer production capacity in response to rapidly growing semiconductor market, building new factory to start manufacturing PFAS next year.
-
NBC News reporters
Data center backlash is threatening to shape 2026 midterm elections
-
Fox News contributor
Karl Rove claims a data center will make a school district one of the richest in Texas
-
Timothy Parker, Assured Communications
Skilled technician shortages are a major challenge for fiber installation, with insufficient workers to perform the work needed
-
Justin Melkinoff, MOX Networks
Municipal permitting for fiber installation is increasingly restrictive, involving 15 different departments for approvals that should be straightforward
-
Business Insider
Public backlash to AI data centers is growing
-
Datacloud USA conference speakers identified material shortages, labor shortages, and permitting delays as obstacles to data center fiber buildout beyond community opposition
-
Justin Melkinoff, MOX Networks
Fiber providers are sourcing materials from international vendors and countries they might not have used previously due to domestic shortages
-
Jeremy Merrill, Washington Post data reporter
Gov. Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania and Gov. J.B. Pritzker of Illinois are now limiting data centers in their states after initially supporting them
-
Jeremy Merrill, Washington Post data reporter
Republican politicians shifted from praising data centers as bringing benefits to talking about their downsides starting around February 2026
-
Chris Tomlinson, journalist
Counties asked Attorney General Ken Paxton what power they retained, and he did not answer six months later
-
Chris Tomlinson, journalist
Abbott and Republican lawmakers passed multiple laws providing property tax cuts to data centers
-
Chris Tomlinson, journalist
Governor Greg Abbott invited data center companies to Texas and promised low taxes, regulations, cheap electricity and water
The group comes from the words the source gives for the speaker; how the groups are read. Every statement on the record is in CSV and JSON, with its group and its state.
