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Greg Abbott blames data center companies for public backlash as Texas shifts toward stricter construction standards

Texas Governor Greg Abbott recently pivoted from a staunch supporter of data center construction to a leader advocating for stricter regulations. While the administration announced new standards to protect residents from infrastructure costs and suggested a ban on rural development, Abbott stated that data center companies "dug their own grave" by failing to collaborate with local governments. This shift comes as polling shows a majority of Texans oppose new construction in their immediate communities due to concerns over water supply, energy bills, and noise. While the administration announced that it halted some 1,800 projects, critics argue that the backlash is a result of a decade of Republican policies that prioritized corporate profits over local control. Despite the shift, the administration announced that data centers remain a vital economic opportunity, with many states now seeking a balance between technological growth and community benefits. Abbott continues to push for audits and binding commitments from developers to ensure that the infrastructure of the AI era benefits both the industry and the residents of Texas.

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