DALLAS, Texas — Gov. Greg Abbott called for prohibiting new AI data centers in rural Texas neighborhoods during a campaign stop in East Texas, sharpening a statewide fight over where the large facilities should be allowed to operate.
We must prohibit them from building AI data centers in rural Texas neighborhoods,
Abbott said the issue fits with protecting East Texas values and repeated that data center developers should bring their own power, pay their own infrastructure costs, reuse their own water and reduce costs for residents. His campaign said the comments track with his earlier regulatory push to keep local communities from being adversely affected.
The proposal would go further than a broader framework that called for new power generation, infrastructure funding, water reuse and setbacks. Cities have more zoning power than counties, and several rural counties have sought ways to slow or block projects as residents raise concerns about water demand, air quality and electric bills.
A Texas Tribune analysis cited in the report found that nearly half of planned data centers in Texas are slated for unincorporated areas, compared with 12% of existing facilities. Public polling cited by the outlet found data centers are unpopular statewide and especially unpopular among rural Texans, nearly two-thirds of whom opposed construction in their community.
