The newly formed Lone Star Infrastructure Coalition (LSIC), which includes data center developers and energy firms, is advocating for large-scale development in Texas amidst growing public opposition and scrutiny from state officials. This coalition emerged to address concerns over the impact of data centers on local resources, particularly water use and power grid stability, following polls indicating that a significant portion of Texans support local bans on data centers.
Governor Greg Abbott has recently paused data center permits pending a state audit, while Attorney General Ken Paxton has initiated investigations into several developments for noncompliance with water use reporting. The LSIC aims to counteract these challenges by demonstrating the economic benefits of data centers, claiming they could strengthen local economies and digital infrastructure in Texas.
The coalition includes energy executives, utility companies, and other stakeholders, and officially launched in early October. Leaders like Jimmy Glotfelty emphasize the importance of data centers for economic growth and workforce expansion. The coalition plans to communicate effectively with local communities and officials to advocate for these projects, citing the need for modernization of the state’s infrastructure to meet rising demand.
In parallel, Texas’ 765-kilovolt transmission line projects are under scrutiny, with some legislators questioning the models used to justify them. Prominent figures, including country music star Tanya Tucker, have called for independent audits of these projects. Despite the controversies, LSIC maintains that Texas must accelerate infrastructure development to avoid capacity constraints in the future.
