Texas utility regulator sues AG Paxton to keep data center locations confidential

The Public Utility Commission of Texas is pursuing legal action in Travis County to prevent the public release of basic location data for data-center and virtual-currency-mining facilities, citing potential terrorist exploitation. The commission contends that county names and regional water-planning areas become sensitive when merged with survey details on electricity demand, water consumption, cooling technology and grid connections.

It seeks exemption for those two geographic fields under the Texas Homeland Security Act, while not claiming the entire survey should be confidential. Attorney General Ken Paxton’s office previously denied the PUC’s request, finding the security argument insufficient, prompting one outlet lawsuit. Governor Greg Abbott has directed state agencies to intensify scrutiny of data-center water and power use, and the Texas Water Development Board is slated to enforce water-reporting rules. The dispute arises after open-records requests from a McLennan County resident and journalists were denied, leading the PUC to challenge the AG’s rulings in court.