Abbott issues data center directive after widespread protests

(The Center Square) – Gov. Greg Abbott on Monday issued another directive related to data centers after a legislative hearing was held and statewide protests are ongoing.

Last week, Republican state lawmakers backtracked on a law they previously supported that fast tracked data expansion at taxpayers’ expense. Some rural Texans have demanded a special session be called to ban data center expansion in Texas, The Center Square reported. Ahead of the hearing, multiple anti-data center events were held statewide.

Abbott on Monday directed the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) to conduct a comprehen...