Three Tech Giants Commit to Texas' Data Center Regulations
Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced that Microsoft, Hut 8, and Equinix have committed to comply with his data center standards. The governor established guidelines in August to ensure data centers protect Texas' electric grid, conserve water, respect neighborhoods, and pay their own way.
The standards require data centers to pay for their own electric infrastructure, reuse their own water, reduce electricity costs for Texans, and do not disrupt residential neighborhoods. Data center companies must also disclose all taxpayer-funded incentives, provide their own power, protect Texas water resources, and outline measures to reduce impacts on neighboring property owners.
Any data center company that fails to comply with the ERCOT audit process will have its approval denied. Since Governor Abbott issued these directives, several data centers across the state have either announced full compliance or ended their projects.