Nearly half of the power plants planned to supply electricity for data centers would be in Texas. Experts warn they will emit significant pollution that could harm the health of communities nearby.
Energy
In-depth reporting on oil, gas, renewable power, and policies shaping the future of energy in Texas from The Texas Tribune.
Posted in
Environment
On the upper Texas coast, many petrochemical facilities may not be prepared for fiercer storms
Galveston County alone is home to 22 refineries and chemical plants. Their level of emergency preparedness varies widely.
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Data Centers in Texas
San Marcos becomes the first Texas city to ban data centers, testing its local control
As Texas counties have faced hurdles to curb the rapid growth of data center developments, cities could have more success with banning them through their zoning laws, land experts say.
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Data Centers in Texas
Hundreds of data centers are coming to Texas. Here’s what you need to know.
Texas is experiencing an AI-driven data center boom with at least 248 projects planned statewide. Here’s what to know about the industry’s rapid growth and the debate over its impact.
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Energy
Tensions with landowners rise as a raft of gas pipelines push through Texas properties
Rising demand for Texas natural gas by data centers and foreign nations has sparked a surge in pipeline projects
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Energy
Texas leaders are asking data centers how much water they use. Most aren’t responding.
Data centers use water to cool their massive arrays of computer servers. A state agency sent out a survey to figure out how much, but less than a third of the companies responded.
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Environment
An old well began gushing oilfield wastewater in a West Texas church parking lot, sparking a costly cleanup
By the time the Texas Railroad Commission shut down nearby oilfield injection wells to control the leak, 1.5 million gallons of toxic wastewater had spilled to the surface.
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Energy
As data centers seek to tap Texas’ energy, grid regulators are close to approving a new way of vetting requests
The Public Utility Commission of Texas on Thursday will weigh and vote on ERCOT’s proposal to streamline the power approval process for data centers.
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Energy
Texas Railroad Commission race pits oil field engineer against energy trader running on culture wars
Republican Bo French is keeping Islam, immigration and LGBTQ+ issues at the fore of his campaign for Texas’ oil regulatory agency. Democratic foe Jon Rosenthal is betting on his technical expertise.
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Data Centers in Texas
Abbott recommends sweeping data center regulation, including eliminating sales tax exemption
The recommendations for legislative action amount to a striking call for industry regulation by the Republican governor in a state that has long prided itself on being a favorable environment for business.
