AUSTIN, Texas — Gov. Greg Abbott is defending his temporary pause on new data center connections to the Texas power grid as major technology companies pledge to meet the state’s new standards for energy, water and infrastructure.
Abbott said the companies have responded to his directive with commitments to pay for infrastructure, reduce water use and address the impact of their operations on local communities.
“I established clear guardrails to ensure data centers protect our electric grid, conserve our water, respect our neighborhoods, and pay their own way,” Abbott said. “They must not pass costs on to Texas families or interfere with their quality of life.”
Abbott issued the directive last week, barring new data centers from connecting to the Texas grid until state regulators complete a review of their energy and water consumption and effects on surrounding communities.
The move marks a shift from Abbott’s previous efforts to attract data center investment. In November, he described Texas as “the epicenter of AI development.”
President Donald Trump criticized the change last week during an interview with Punchbowl News.
“I saw Texas the other day sort of is against data centers,” Trump said. “I think that’s a mistake.”
Major technology companies have since indicated that they will comply with Abbott’s standards.
Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, said Monday that it pays for the infrastructure needed to connect its data centers to the Texas power grid. The company also announced a new fund for investments in water and energy infrastructure, educators and first responders.
Google said it supports Abbott’s standards and pointed to a planned $40 billion investment in Texas infrastructure and jobs.
“We share Gov. Abbott’s commitment to ensure data centers are developed the right way and support high standards for data center providers,” a Google spokesperson said.
The company said those standards include paying for energy and infrastructure needed to support data center growth, demonstrating grid reliability and water stewardship, and maintaining transparency with communities.
OpenAI also pledged in a letter to Abbott to pay for its own infrastructure, support new electricity sources in Texas and minimize water consumption. Abbott’s office said Amazon separately sent a letter promising to comply with the state’s standards.
The rapid growth of data centers has raised concerns about the state’s ability to supply electricity and water. Data centers are seeking 474 gigawatts of power from the Texas grid over the next several years, according to state officials and industry data. That figure exceeds five times the electricity used statewide during Texas’ record peak demand.
Texas has the fastest-growing data center market in the country.
Critics of Abbott’s policy, however, have questioned whether the companies’ commitments provide sufficient protections for Texas communities.
Democratic state Rep. Gina Hinojosa, the Democratic nominee for governor, has called for Abbott to convene a special legislative session to establish additional regulations.
“We need a moratorium on data centers until the legislature can meet to put in place real protections so Texans can have a seat at the table to decide if and how data centers come into their communities,” Hinojosa said. “When the companies being regulated are cheering for the rules, you know the rules were written for them, not for Texans.”