Texas Agriculture Commissioner Raises Concerns Over Data Centers

Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller spoke in an interview on September 11, 2026, about the state's growing number of data centers, which he claims are larger in number than those in China. Under the leadership of Governor Greg Abbott, Texas has become a hub for tech companies amid the AI boom, but Miller warns that this trend may have negative consequences. He argues that the push for data centers is leading to significant public backlash, as many Americans oppose their construction in local communities. A Gallup survey indicated that 70% of Americans would oppose a data center in their area, while a Texas Politics Project poll found that 57% of Texans were against data centers, particularly in rural regions. Miller has been vocal about the potential impact of data centers on resources like water and energy, as well as their effect on farmland. He has called for increased regulation and a one-year moratorium on new data centers, but Abbott has not acted on these requests. Miller expressed concern that the issue could affect Abbott's reelection campaign, noting that he believes Republicans may lose some statewide races in the upcoming November elections due to this and other issues.