Governor-Elect Hinojosa Seeks Statewide Data Center Halt in Texas
“What has happened is data centers have moved into mostly rural communities, and there are no rules and laws to protect Texans and Texans are being taken advantage of,” Texas Governor-elect Gina Hinojosa told CNN, as reported by USA Today.
Texas is looking to halt data center development until new regulations are established to protect local residents, according to the newly elected Democratic governor. Hinojosa’s position follows midterm election results that saw voters across the United States push back against the construction of heavy technological facilities.
More than 80 data centers currently operate in Texas, giving the state the second-highest concentration in the country according to data center tracking group Cleanview. An additional 50 facilities are under construction, while more than 120 remain planned.
Gina Hinojosa on data centers in Texas: "We have always been a pro business state in Texas, but what changes now with me as governor is it has to be a partnership that benefits Texans. And right now what has happened is data centers have moved into mostly rural communities and… pic.twitter.com/He33ryi0qM”
Electoral Backlash Against Industry Expansion
Exit polls conducted by NBC News indicate that AI and data centers served as a crucial or major factor for 56% of voters in congressional races. Roughly 76% of voters reported they would oppose the construction of new data centers within their own neighborhoods.
Across the United States, about 40 cities and towns weighed measures to restrict data center development. Data Centers on the Ballot, a tracking website, notes that at least 33 of those municipalities voted in favor of reining in the industry through moratoriums, new regulations, and outright bans, while only one town in North Dakota voted against restrictions.
In Texas, Hinojosa made opposition to unregulated data centers a central pillar of her campaign. She criticized outgoing Republican Governor Greg Abbott for his previous statements promoting the state as an epicenter for artificial intelligence development. Abbott later enacted a statewide moratorium, though he ultimately lost the gubernatorial race to Hinojosa.
Working Relations With Elon Musk and the Tech Industry
Hinojosa’s victory arrived despite millions of dollars spent by billionaire tech mogul Elon Musk to support Republican campaign war chests. Musk, who relocated to Texas in 2020 and praised its minimal regulatory approach, is a vocal proponent of AI infrastructure.
“We can have a strong working relationship with Elon Musk and his companies, but it has to be on our terms,” Hinojosa stated, according to USA Today. She emphasized that development cannot proceed by overriding local communities.
The day before, Musk posted on X that “data centers in space looking pretty appealing right now,” referencing his previous proposals to place computing infrastructure in orbit. While Musk is not behind all of the data centers in Texas, the xAI CEO is a huge proponent of the sites.
Despite the proposed pause, Hinojosa maintained that the state remains pro-business: “It is not that I hate data centers. I hate the way they are taking advantage of Texas, and that stops when I’m governor.”
Harrison Urges Abbott to Curb Incoming Governor Authority
Following the election results, Texas state Rep. Brian Harrison called on outgoing Gov. Abbott to curb the incoming governor’s authority before January, warning in a social media post that Hinojosa should not wield unchecked emergency powers.
🚨 I call on Gov. Abbott to IMMEDIATELY convene a special session to REIN IN EXECUTIVE EMERGENCY POWERS… before Gina Hinojosa is sworn in! Republicans lost last night, but Democrats were not sworn in. We still have total power in Texas, and we must act like it by using the… pic.twitter.com/T3DINhlLZa
Abbott conceded the race and informed supporters that he intends to assist Hinojosa and her transition team. Meanwhile, communities continue to lobby against facilities they argue drain local water supplies and drive up electricity bills.
Hinojosa aims to ensure that local residents retain decision-making power. “Communities have a seat at the table to decide if and how these data centers come into their communities,” she told CNN.
Frequently Asked Questions About Texas Data Centers
How many data centers are currently operating in Texas?
Cleanview tracks over 80 active data centers in Texas, making it the second-highest total for any state in the nation.
How many additional facilities are planned or under construction?
State tracking data shows approximately 50 data centers are currently under construction, with more than 120 additional sites in the planning stages.
What specific changes is Governor-elect Hinojosa proposing?
Hinojosa wants to halt new data center construction until lawmakers implement legal protections for residents, ensuring local communities have a direct role in approving future sites.
How did outgoing Governor Greg Abbott respond to the election outcome?
Abbott conceded the election to Hinojosa and stated he would help facilitate a smooth transition of power before she takes office in January.
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