Data center construction is unpopular among locals, and a majority of the facilities are being proposed in red, rural counties. That puts Texas Republicans in a tough spot, as the White House has encouraged states to let the centers flourish.
data centers
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Data Centers in Texas
Proposed Fort Bliss data center could use more power than all of El Paso
The far East El Paso complex, which the U.S. Army wants to be operational by 2027, is one of several the Department of Defense plans to support artificial intelligence in the military.
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TribCast
TribCast: Texas’ looming data center fight
As Texas lawmakers prepare to tackle the thorny data center issue next session, what can we learn from Virginia’s experience?
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Economy
Data center boom strains Texas homebuilders’ need for electricians
Texas builders struggle to finish new homes to meet growth as data centers with deeper pockets poach electricians.
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State Government
Texas grid operator forecasts massive growth in demand, but says data is likely flawed
The Electric Reliability Council of Texas reported that peak energy demand could quadruple by 2032, but cautioned that its estimate is likely too high and must be revised.
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Data Centers in Texas
Texas is giving data centers more than $1 billion in tax breaks each year
The tax break is one of the state’s costliest incentive programs and soon to be the most expensive of its kind in the nation.
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2026 Texas Elections
Texas Senate candidate says “no strings attached” to $2 million donation from businessman
Rhonda Ward, a first-time candidate for elected office who previously served on the state GOP’s policy committee, is challenging Trent Ashby for the East Texas seat.
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Economy
Texans are demanding their local governments push pause on data centers. Can they?
Texans from Waco to Harlingen are raising concerns over how much energy and water data centers are poised to use. Local officials, some enticed by a tax boon, say they have little power to stop the rush.
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State Government
Texas county rejects a moratorium on data center development amid AI boom
The 3-2 vote from Hood County commissioners Tuesday came after they received a letter from a state senator saying they did not have the power to issue a moratorium.
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Environment
El Paso’s plan to build natural gas power plant for massive data center kicks up opposition
Meta’s planned data center could be El Paso’s biggest electricity user. Some residents worry that a new power plant to run it would worsen air pollution and guzzle water.
