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.
Energy
In-depth reporting on oil, gas, renewable power, and policies shaping the future of energy in Texas from The Texas Tribune.
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Data Centers in Texas
Gas power leapfrogs wind for first time in 10 years in Texas’ grid connection queue
Data centers are largely driving the sudden rise in natural gas power projects on the waiting list to connect to Texas’ grid.
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Energy
Texas leads nation in utility shutoffs as electric bills rise, federal report finds
The state accounted for more than 3 million of the 13.4 million disconnections that occurred in the U.S. in 2024, the highest total in the country.
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Congress
Rep. Greg Casar unveils bill targeting utility costs as part of progressives’ “affordability agenda”
The proposal is part of a package from the Casar-led Congressional Progressive Caucus focused on cost of living. It’s unlikely to go anywhere but could give Democrats a campaign blueprint.
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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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2026 Texas Elections
James Talarico calls for federal gas tax pause to combat surging fuel prices
A trade group argued that a federal gas tax suspension would be unlikely to show up in savings for drivers and would diminish needed infrastructure revenue.
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Energy
Low-producing oil wells linger for years, causing headaches for Texas landowners
Jackie Chesnutt, who lives outside San Angelo, is tired of pollution from nearly inactive wells. Experts say Texas rules allow companies to defer plugging wells for far too long.
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Politics
Texas oil and gas regulator Wayne Christian peddles oil-backed crypto coin
Government watchdogs raised conflict-of-interests concerns, but Christian said his involvement in the venture is “separate” from his elected position on the Railroad Commission.
