Governor-elect Gina Hinojosa has pledged to halt approvals for Texas data centers until the legislature establishes new laws. The state’s grid operator was tracking more than 400 gigawatts of data center projects seeking connection, while recent polling showed strong voter support for limits.
Gina Hinojosa, who defeated Greg Abbott in Tuesday’s governor’s race, has vowed to stop approvals for Texas data centers until the state legislature passes laws addressing community concerns. Texas has attracted major projects from Meta, Google and Microsoft, but growing opposition and electricity-grid connection requests have increased pressure on the industry.
Abbott ordered a pause on new data center grid connections on August 3 and a comprehensive audit focused on power demand, environmental impacts and developer tax breaks. The state’s grid operator, ERCOT, said it was tracking more than 400 gigawatts of proposed data center projects seeking to connect—roughly equivalent to the power needed for the entire US South. Abbott also took steps involving water violations and air permits, but did not impose a formal moratorium.
A Reuters/Ipsos poll found 42% of registered voters considered limiting AI data center construction very important or the most important issue. An NBC and SSRS exit poll found 76% of voters nationwide opposed a new data center in their community, while an October University of Houston poll found 79% of likely Texas voters supported limits on the number built in the state.
