Texas governor orders penalties for data centers that hide water use

Texas Governor Greg Abbott instructed the Texas Water Development Board to use its enforcement powers to penalize data-center operators that have not provided complete water-use surveys as required by state law. He emphasized that data centers share responsibility for protecting Texas’s water resources and warned of legal action for any future reporting failures. The directive follows criticism that the growing number of data centers may increase regional electricity demand and threaten water availability.

Abbott’s order arrives roughly six weeks before the upcoming midterm elections, in which his own race and a competitive Senate contest are drawing heightened attention. The Texas Water Development Board was tasked with assessing past violations and imposing penalties. Critics argue the timing could be politically motivated, while supporters say it safeguards essential resources.