Rep. David Spiller Reflects on Data Centers in Texas

Across House District 68, I have heard from many constituents, county officials, landowners, and community leaders who are concerned about the rapid growth of data centers in rural Texas.

These concerns are real. As demand for data centers continues to grow, so do questions about electricity usage, water consumption, infrastructure needs, property rights, transparency, and the potential impact on local taxpayers and ratepayers. Texas should continue to lead in economic growth, innovation, and national security, but that growth must be managed responsibly and with respect for the communities directly affected.

Data centers will continue to play an important role in our state and national economy. However, they should not be allowed to place unfair burdens on rural communities, strain local water supplies, increase costs for existing residents, or require local taxpayers to pay for infrastructure primarily needed to serve large private developments.

My office is actively following this issue and working closely with counties and local officials who have reached out for assistance. I have made clear to companies pursuing these projects in rural Texas that transparency and early communication are essential. Developers should engage directly with landowners, county officials, utility providers, and affected communities before projects move forward. They should also clearly explain expected electricity demand, water usage, infrastructure needs, and any potential effect on local services, roads, utilities, and taxpayers.

At the state level, the House State Affairs Committee and the House Natural Resources Committee are studying data center development through interim charges. Those studies include the economic and national security implications of data centers, the current regulatory framework, electricity demand and grid reliability, water usage, and infrastructure needs. I am closely monitoring that work and look forward to reviewing the committees’ findings before the next legislative session.

As we look ahead, I support considering reasonable, conservative guardrails to ensure that large-load developments are responsible for their own infrastructure impacts, that water resources are protected, that private property rights are respected, and that local communities are not left bearing disproportionate costs. This may include requiring data centers to provide adequate power generation or infrastructure support, responsibly manage water use, and work with local officials to address public safety, road, utility, and emergency service impacts.

Texas will continue to grow, and we should welcome responsible investment. But growth should not come at the expense of the rural communities, landowners, ratepayers, and taxpayers who make our state strong.

I remain committed to working with our counties, local officials, landowners, stakeholders, and legislative partners to ensure that data center development in Texas is handled in a balanced, transparent, and responsible way. My office remains available to hear directly from those impacted and to assist our communities as this issue continues to develop.