Paxton to investigate hundreds of Texas data centers over water use reporting

AUSTIN, Texas (KCBD) - Attorney General Ken Paxton will be investigating Texas data center developments that have not yet responded to the required water use survey, including data centers in Lubbock, Randall and Ector County.

Paxton has ordered the Office of the Attorney General to ensure all data center developments in Texas provide up-to-date and accurate information regarding water usage.

State law requires water use surveys

Under Texas law, the Texas Water Development Board is required to conduct surveys of entities that use ground water and surface water for municipal, industrial, power generation or mining purposes.

Paxton is demanding that all data centers in Texas meet this requirement by submitting a survey response in full compliance with the law. The Office of the Attorney General has launched an ongoing investigation into all data center developments in Texas.

Attorney general’s statement

“My office is currently investigating hundreds of data center developments to ensure that they are transparent about their water usage and fully compliant with the law,” Paxton said. “It is our responsibility to steward our state’s land well, and we cannot do that if companies are blatantly disregarding their legal obligations to Texas and to our citizens. We cannot sacrifice our resources, water, or energy supply, and I will continue to fight for our communities across this state.”

Counties under investigation

Data centers are under initial investigation in counties across Texas, including Harris, Montgomery, Travis, Dallas, Tarrant, Smith, Bexar, Tom Green, Potter, Randall, Lubbock, Midland, Ector, Wichita, Victoria, Brazos, Nueces and El Paso.