From Rolling Stone · Nikki McCann Ramirez · · 1m 40s
Texas Republican Warns Data Centers Threaten Rural Communities
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller warns data centers could cost Greg Abbott his reelection.
In brief
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller warns data centers could cost Greg Abbott his reelection. Texas Republican Sid Miller predicts data centers may hurt Republicans in November after 30 years of strong performance. Originally reported by Rolling Stone.
Texas data centers outpace China
Texas has more existing and planned data centers than China by sheer numbers.
Texas attracts tech giants
Texas offers subsidized utility rates and property tax abatements to tech companies.
Rural backlash against data centers
70 percent of Americans oppose data centers in their communities according to Gallup.
Sid Miller's warning
Sid Miller, outgoing Texas Agriculture Commissioner, warns data centers threaten rural communities.
Miller's concerns about farmland
Data centers use farmland for electricity and water without oversight or regulation.
Miller's call for regulation
Miller urged Governor Abbott to create a one-year moratorium on data centers.
Abbott's inaction
Abbott refused Miller's moratorium request and took $21 million from data center interests.
Abbott's campaign response
Abbott now responds to polls but hasn't implemented a moratorium or special session.
Miller predicts Republican losses
Miller predicts Republicans could lose statewide races for the first time in 30 years.
Data center compliance issues
Six of 20 audited data centers failed to meet tax incentive obligations.
Republican donor conflicts
Most Republicans have taken money from data center companies.
Rural community impacts
Rural communities face higher rents, noise, and light pollution from data centers.
Texas farming crisis
Many family farmers sell land for 10 times its value to data center companies.
Miller's Trump stance
Miller supports Trump but disagrees on AI data centers.
The essence
Texas Republican Sid Miller predicts data centers may hurt Republicans in November after 30 years of strong performance.
