HARC President and CEO, John Hall, recently authored an Op-Ed published in the Houston Chronicle that examines the rapid expansion of data centers across Texas and what that growth could mean for the state’s water and electricity systems.
In the piece, Data centers threaten Texans’ supply of electricity and water. Will we shape that boom? Or will it shape us?, Hall outlines how increasing demand from large-scale data infrastructure is placing added strain on resources that support households, businesses, and local services. He emphasizes the importance of understanding where and how these facilities are developed, and the need for long-term planning as demand continues to rise.
Drawing on HARC’s recently launched white paper, Thirsty Data and the Lone Star State: The Impact of Data Center Growth on Texas’ Water Supply, Hall discusses the scale of resource use associated with data centers and highlights opportunities for policymakers, utilities, and local leaders to better anticipate challenges and manage growth responsibly.
The Op-Ed contributes to an ongoing public discussion about infrastructure planning in Texas and how informed decisions today can help support reliable systems for community members across the state.
Read the full Houston Chronicle Op-Ed at Data centers threaten Texans’ supply of electricity and water. Will we shape that boom? Or will it shape us?
To learn more about HARC’s work on data centers and their resource impacts, visit Data Centers.
