Texans Voice Concerns Over Water, Power and Noise From Expanding Data Centers
During a House State Affairs Committee hearing, residents and officials warned that large data centers could strain water supplies, increase electricity costs and generate noise in Texas communities.
A public hearing of the House Committee on State Affairs drew extensive testimony from Texas residents, regulators and local officials about the impact of expanding data centers. Farmers and landowners, including Mark Friesenhahn of Comal County and Susan Tatro of Williamson County, raised alarms over water usage, electricity loads and noise that could affect nearby livestock and springs. Leon County Precinct 3 Commissioner Kyle Workman emphasized the lack of county control over unincorporated areas and urged the state to grant more local oversight.
Ben Barkley, head of the Office of Public Utility Counsel, warned that transmission costs for gigawatt-scale facilities should be borne by the data centers, not ratepayers. Governor Greg Abbott has directed the Electric Reliability Council of Texas and the Public Utility Commission to audit all data-center projects, effectively halting new connections until the review is complete, as the 90th Legislative Session prepares to convene in January 2027.
Why it matters
The testimony could shape Texas policies on water, energy and local control as data centers proliferate.
In this story
