Texas Data Centers: A Call to Hit the Brakes

Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller is welcoming Governor Greg Abbott’s new directive to scrutinize data center projects — but says the move doesn’t go far enough. Miller argues that the directive is more of a filter than a true brake and is renewing his call for an immediate special session of the Texas Legislature.

💧 Protecting Texas’ Water, Power & Land

Miller is calling for enforceable statewide protections for Texas’ water supply, electric grid, private property rights, agricultural economy, rural communities, taxpayers and ratepayers as large-scale hyperscale data centers continue expanding across the state.

He says recent Senate hearings made the concerns especially clear, with Texans raising questions about the impact these massive facilities can have on homes, land, livelihoods and local communities.

💰 Billions of Taxpayer Dollars at Stake

The debate also centers on the public cost of attracting data centers to Texas. Miller points to the projected state sales-tax exemption for qualifying data centers during the 2028–29 biennium, saying its estimated value is equivalent to roughly 7% of the state’s total annual sales-tax revenue.

He also highlights property-tax abatements and the significant water and electric infrastructure required to support these facilities — costs that could ultimately affect Texas ratepayers.

⚖️ Why Miller Wants a Special Session

Miller argues that lawmakers — not another executive directive — should establish clear rules and determine whether the economic benefits of data center incentives justify their costs.

He is urging Governor Abbott to bring legislators back to Austin for a special session to consider an immediate moratorium and create stronger statewide guardrails before additional projects move forward.

🌟 Final Thoughts

The growing debate over data centers puts Texas at a crossroads between technological and economic growth and the protection of its natural resources, infrastructure, communities and taxpayers. Commissioner Miller says the next step should be clear: call a special session, hit the brakes and establish meaningful protections for Texans.