07/13/2026
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller today called on Governor Greg Abbott to immediately convene a Special Session of the Texas Legislature to address the unchecked expansion of large-scale data centers, warning that waiting until the regular session in January could come too late to protect Texas agriculture, rural communities, precious water resources, and the state's electric grid.
"Governor Abbott says he now recognizes the risks posed by unchecked data center expansion, and I'm willing to take him at his word," Commissioner Miller said. "But words alone won't protect Texas. If he's serious, he should call a Special Session now."
Recent reports indicate ERCOT could begin approving the next major wave of data center projects, known as "Batch Zero," as early as next spring. By the time the Legislature convenes in January, many projects could already be committed, under construction, or positioned to be grandfathered under existing law, significantly limiting lawmakers' ability to protect Texas communities and natural resources.
"The clock is ticking," Miller said. "Every day we wait, more projects move closer to becoming permanent. Waiting until January risks making any legislative action little more than an afterthought and cedes commonsense Republican leadership on the most important issue to rural Texans to Democrats."
Miller said the Governor's recent change in tone raises an obvious question.
"Is Governor Abbott genuinely committed to slowing this unchecked expansion, or is he sending a signal to data center developers, their investors, and campaign contributors that they still have a window to accelerate projects so they can be grandfathered in before the Legislature has an opportunity to act?" Miller asked. "If the Governor truly wants stronger safeguards, there's only one way to remove any doubt: call a Special Session now."
Miller emphasized that Texas can continue leading the nation in technology while protecting the industries and natural resources that have sustained the state for generations.
"This isn't about being anti-technology. It's about being pro-Texas," Miller said. "We can grow our economy without sacrificing productive farmland, depleting our water supplies, overloading our electric grid, or threatening the future of rural Texas."
"Our farmers and ranchers already face enough challenges," Miller added. "They shouldn't also have to compete with some of the wealthiest corporations in the world for water and electricity because state government failed to act when it had the chance."
"Governor Abbott now has an opportunity to prove his words with action," Miller concluded. "Call the Special Session. If we wait until January, the Legislature could find itself trying to close the barn door after the horse has already left, while projects that can never be undone have already been approved and grandfathered in."
