Texas Senate Nominee Ken Paxton Aligns with Governor Abbott on Stricter Data Center Regulations, Diverging from President Trump
Texas Republican Senate nominee Ken Paxton has introduced a 'Texas First Data Center Plan,' which advocates for stricter federal and state regulations on data centers. This plan aligns him with Governor Greg Abbott's approach, which includes pausing new data center projects seeking to connect to the state grid, requiring data centers to cover their own electrical infrastructure costs, using water-efficient cooling technologies, and limiting their proximity to rural neighborhoods. Paxton's proposal also calls for federal legislation to bar Chinese technology from powering U.S. data centers and to hold companies criminally liable for AI chatbots that endanger children. This stance marks a notable divergence from President Trump, who has expressed a bullish view on data centers, emphasizing their economic benefits for communities. The shift comes as voter opposition to data center projects grows in Texas and nationally, driven by concerns over electricity prices, water usage, and rapid development near reside...