Texas Governor Greg Abbott has ordered an audit of data centers in the state, citing concerns over their impact on the state’s power grid and environment. The audit, which will be conducted by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), will examine the data centers’ power use, water use, and other factors.

Data Center Boom in Texas

Texas has seen a surge in data center construction in recent years, with many tech companies, including Meta, OpenAI, Microsoft, and Amazon Web Services, building facilities in the state. However, the rapid growth of the industry has raised concerns among residents and lawmakers about the impact on the state’s infrastructure and environment.

Abbott’s order comes after a recent poll showed that many rural Texans are concerned about the impact of data centers on their communities. The poll found that 60% of rural Texans believe that data centers are having a negative impact on their area.

Industry Response

Many tech companies have expressed support for Abbott’s audit, with some saying that they are willing to work with the state to address concerns about the industry’s impact. The Data Center Coalition, a trade association representing many of the largest tech companies in the world, has issued a statement saying that it shares Abbott’s commitment to ensuring that data centers are responsible partners in the communities where they operate.

However, some lawmakers have expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of the audit, with some arguing that it is a political move by Abbott to appease his constituents. State Rep. Gina Hinojosa has called for a special session to pass regulations on data centers, saying that the industry needs to be held accountable for its impact on the state.

Original reporting: Texas Tribune (HLL/CB) — read the source article.