Texas coalition forms to oppose rapid data center expansion

A bipartisan coalition of organizations, including the Texas NAACP, Public Citizen, and Save Rural Texas, has formed to oppose the rapid expansion of data centers across Texas. Operating under the name ‘We the People Texas’, the group launched at the state Capitol to demand greater transparency and oversight regarding the impact of these facilities on public water resources.

Activists expressed concerns that the proliferation of data centers, driven by the artificial intelligence boom, threatens the state’s long-term water security and destroys rural landscapes. Members are calling for an immediate pause and review of water commitments tied to future projects.

The movement has gained political traction, with outgoing Texas Commissioner of Agriculture Sid Miller joining the call for increased regulation. Miller’s opposition highlights a growing tension between state incentives for tech giants—such as Amazon Web Services and Microsoft—and local concerns regarding land use, energy consumption, and resource depletion. Polling indicates significant public opposition to data center construction, particularly in rural areas.