Texas to crack down on data centers for skipping water-use reporting, Abbott directs enforcement

Gov. Greg Abbott directs the Texas Water Development Board to penalize data centers that fail to report their water usage in a state-mandated survey, citing low compliance in recent years. The board has said it lacks prosecutorial power, but the directive anticipates enforcement actions (potential fines or other consequences) and ties to broader audits (ERCOT interconnection) to ensure data centers disclose water use for long-term state water planning.