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Abbott Orders Texas to Penalize Data Centers for Reporting

By Drooid · Sep 16, 2026, 4:38 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Governor Greg Abbott ordered the Texas Water Development Board to penalize data centers that miss water-use reporting.
Penalties may include criminal charges, permit disqualification, and referral to county attorneys, with enforcement reports due Oct 14.
In 2025 the board surveyed 329 data centers.
Only 22.5% of those centers submitted required water-use data.
UT researchers project data centers could use 3%-9% of Texas water by 2040, up from under 1% today.

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Story summary

Governor Greg Abbott ordered the Texas Water Development Board to penalize data centers that miss water-use reporting.
Penalties may include criminal charges, permit disqualification, and referral to county attorneys, with enforcement reports due Oct 14.
In 2025 the board surveyed 329 data centers.
Only 22.5% of those centers submitted required water-use data.
UT researchers project data centers could use 3%-9% of Texas water by 2040, up from under 1% today.