Texas Halts 1,800 Data Center Proposals as 70% Oppose Local AI Sites
Updated
Updated · Business Insider · Aug 22
Texas Halts 1,800 Data Center Proposals as 70% Oppose Local AI Sites
3 articles · Updated · Business Insider · Aug 22
Summary
Gov. Greg Abbott said Texas has halted as many as 1,800 data center proposals and imposed strict new rules after mounting local backlash.
More than 70% of Americans told Gallup in May they oppose data center construction in their area, citing heavy energy and water use and broader dislike of AI.
That opposition has become a political problem ahead of November's midterms, pushing Abbott to reverse from earlier support for rapid AI infrastructure expansion.
Tech leaders are split on the cause: some blamed Chinese influence despite scant evidence, while others said the industry's own messaging has made data centers a symbol of gains for a narrow tech elite.
The fight matters for OpenAI, Anthropic, Meta and Google because data centers are essential to running AI products, turning local permitting battles into a national constraint on US AI growth.