EconomyUnited States

Texas moves to curb data centers as backlash enters midterm races

Texas has acted to limit data center development, and public pushback is becoming an issue in the midterm election campaigns. The debate may shape where and how the computing sites are built.

Henson Data Center Dallas
Photo: Z22, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Texas has taken steps to slow the growth of data centers. These are large buildings filled with computers that store data and run online services and artificial intelligence tools. The move also affects plans tied to Elon Musk.

The pushback has reached the midterm election campaigns. Candidates and voters are now debating how fast such sites should spread across the country.

Other voices argue for a different path. One opinion piece says data centers should be allowed to go forward responsibly so that innovation can be supported.

Who is who

  • Elon MuskBusinessman whose plans are affected
Where
United States
Published
Section
Economy

This article is not investment advice. It was written by our automated newsroom from published reports and official statements, using only the facts in them, and not read by a person before it was published. Report a mistake

Back to the front page

More news

Illustration: A busy construction site with cranes lifting steel beams into a half-built building, workers in hard hats, under a bright clear sky.Economy risingUS adds 165,000 jobs in October, beating forecastsThe US added 165,000 jobs in October and unemployment edged down to 4.1%. Strong hiring pushed Treasury prices lower and helped chip stocks recover, while raising bets on a Fed rate increase.US 10-year Treasury yielddown −7.92%1 monthBank of Japan headquarters in Tokyo, JapanEconomyUS adds 165,000 jobs in October; Fed's Daly says more rate hikes likelyThe US labor market beat forecasts in October, and a Fed official said more rate hikes are likely needed to tame prices. Rate decisions affect loan costs and savings returns.US 10-year Treasury yielddown −7.92%1 monthBusan Container Terminal 2006EconomyUS officials press China to follow through on Busan trade dealScott Bessent, the Treasury Secretary, and Jamieson Greer, the U.S. trade envoy, held a call with He Lifeng, China's Vice Premier, about Beijing's latest moves. The two Americans said the promises made in the Busan agreement have to be honored.Skyline view of Downtown Ottawa from Parliament Hill - July 2010EconomyCanada's jobless rate rises to 6.7%, a six-month highCanada's unemployment rate rose to 6.7%, its highest in six months. Traders scaled back bets that the Bank of Canada will raise interest rates.Seat of the European Central Bank and Frankfurt Skyline at dawn 20150422 1EconomyFed seen raising rates gradually while ECB gathers dataA stable U.S. labor market keeps the Fed on course for gradual rate increases. The ECB is collecting data before a December rate decision. Borrowing and saving costs depend on both.Accra Skyline - GhanaEconomyIMF gives Ghana positive review as report cites $6.5 billion mining revenue lossThe IMF gave Ghana a positive assessment after its first PCI review and praised revenue gains. A separate IFS report says Ghana loses $6.5 billion in potential mining revenue.