Texas Gov. Greg Abbott warned the booming artificial intelligence industry that data center developers have only themselves to blame for mounting voter backlash, saying they “dug their own grave” by failing to secure the support of local communities.
Abbott, a Republican who once hailed Texas as the “epicenter of AI development,” has taken an increasingly tough approach toward the industry as Texans raise concerns about soaring electricity demand, water use and infrastructure costs.
“Gaining the support of people in local communities is essential,” Abbott told ABC’s “This Week” on Sunday.
“They basically dug their own grave for the problem that’s been caused for them,” he continued. “And that’s why they got the backlash they deserve.”
Abbott’s warning marks a notable turn from last November, when he joined Google to announce a $40 billion investment in three Texas data center campuses.
But as projects have multiplied, Abbott has moved to make developers shoulder more of the costs.
In June, he directed state regulators to require data centers to pay the full cost of the electrical infrastructure they require and called for phasing out tax incentives for the industry.
Earlier this month, Abbott ordered regulators to audit data centers seeking to connect to the Texas power grid before allowing projects to move forward.
He also told “Fox News Sunday” last week that fewer than 10% of data center companies responded to a state request for information officials need to forecast future electricity demand.
Abbott’s approach has drawn criticism from President Donald Trump, who has argued that Texas should embrace the industry as America races to maintain its technological edge.
“For Texas to say no to data centers is a mistake,” Trump said, adding the industry “could be bigger than oil.”
The growing resistance to artificial intelligence computing centers is not limited to Texas.
Hellbound and Down 