Facing Tight Polls, Abbott Veers Left On Data Centers

Facing Tight Polls, Abbott Veers Left On Data Centers

Semafor reports: In Texas, where GOP Gov. Greg Abbott is seeking a fourth term, Democrats are condemning a tax break for data centers that’s been in place since he took office. Abbott suddenly directed the state to audit tech companies’ use of the electric grid recently, vowing “to work with the legislature next session” to repeal their tax breaks. “Everything out of Greg Abbott’s mouth is the opposite of what he does,” said Texas state Rep. Gin…

Data Centers And Power Lines Threaten To Flip Texas Governor's Race For Greg Abbott

Texas Governor Greg Abbott faces a growing political threat tied to the rapid expansion of data centers across the state, with energy costs and rural discontent reshaping the 2026 governor’s race. Abbott, a Republican first elected in 2014 and reelected in both 2018 and 2022, announced a pause on new data center construction to allow the state to audit their energy and water consumption. The decision surprised many political observers, given tha…

E&E News: How data centers and power lines could turn Texas governor’s race blue

Major projects that aim to move and consume large amounts of electricity have rural voters upset with Texas Gov. Greg Abbott.