Sid Miller urges Greg Abbott to call special session on data centers
A Texas leader is calling for a special session to regulate data centers, a day after the governor touted the failure of a project.
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller urged Gov. Greg Abbott Friday, July 24, to convene a special legislative session to address Texans’ concerns about data centers, warning that continued inaction threatens Texas agriculture, rural communities and the state’s electric grid.
“The governor has called special sessions over issues he believes are urgent. If protecting the land that feeds America, safeguarding our electric grid, and preserving Texas’ water supply aren’t urgent, I don’t know what is,” Miller said in a statement. “Texas can build more power plants and transmission lines, but we can’t manufacture water. Water is the lifeblood of Texas agriculture, and once it’s gone, it’s gone.”
Miller also criticized Abbott on July 23 for pointing to the withdrawal of a proposed East Texas data center as proof that his policies are working.
The governor’s comments followed a June 10 letter to state regulators in which Abbott said he plans to work with the 90th Texas Legislature, which convenes in January 2027, to regulate the industry.
In the meantime, Abbott directed state regulators to require data centers to fully fund the costs of the electric infrastructure needed to serve their operations. There are at least 248 data center projects planned across the state, according to the Texas Tribune.
Abbott said the Public Utility Commission of Texas and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas have already taken steps to ensure Texans do not bear the costs of electric infrastructure built to serve data centers, according to a July 24 news release.
Miller, however, argued that additional action is needed. He accused Abbott of “bending over Texas agriculture” while allowing “the richest companies on earth” to benefit at Texans’ expense.
Mateo Rosiles is the Texas Connect reporter for USA TODAY and its regional papers in Texas. Got a news tip for him? Email him at mrosiles@usatodayco.com.
