Meta Accepts Texas Data-Center Rules as Amazon Faces Criticism for Giant Gas-Powered Facility

Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued new data-center standards that shift energy and water costs to operators and mandate closed-loop cooling; Meta announced it will comply with those requirements for any new facilities in the state. Public Citizen’s Texas director noted that while developers are satisfied, many residents remain skeptical without legislative safeguards. Meanwhile, Amazon disclosed plans for a data-center complex in Pecos County that will be powered by a 7.65-GW natural-gas power plant, a capacity larger than the nation’s biggest existing plants and capable of releasing up to 33 million tons of carbon dioxide each year.

Critics, including the Climate Action Campaign’s director and Senator Chris Van Hollen, argue the project threatens one outlet air quality and contradicts Amazon’s 2040 net-zero goal. Amazon maintains the campus will also draw on solar generation and battery storage to offset emissions. The controversy highlights growing tension between rapid tech expansion and state-level energy and environmental regulation.