Texas’s governor-elect vows to protect state’s citizens from data centers
Texas Gov.-elect Gina Hinojosa (D) vowed to protect Texans from data center projects after she is sworn into office in January.
“Well, we have always been a pro-business state in Texas, but what changes now with me as governor is it has to be a partnership that benefits Texans,” Hinojosa said during an appearance on CNN on Thursday night. “And right now, what has happened is data centers have moved into mostly rural communities, and there are no rules and laws to protect Texans, and Texans are being taken advantage of.”
She plans to implement “laws to protect Texans” and to stop working with data centers “until we have those protections.”
“We can have a strong economy, strong industry, and protections for the people of Texas. Those things are not mutually exclusive, and I’ll make sure, as governor, I lead to ensure that that happens,” she expressed.
CNN’s Jake Tapper clarified that Hinojosa is not ruling out data centers being built in the Lone Star State, but that the incoming governor wanted “there to be regulations to protect communities. Is that right?”
“And that communities have a seat at the table to decide if and how these data centers come into their communities. Texas is like a country. We are so diverse in all ways,” Hinojosa responded. “So, absolutely, we need to make sure they are partners in this effort, and that has always been my position. It is not that I hate data centers. I hate the way they are taking advantage of Texas, and that stops when I’m governor.”
Hinojosa’s defeat of outgoing Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) happened alongside Democratic wins down the ticket. Abbott conceded and told supporters that he would “assist her and her team in a period of transition.”
While on the campaign trail, Hinojosa took the populist approach toward data centers, tuning into voters’ sentiment about the ultrawealthy who may own the facilities.
She previously vowed to establish a moratorium on data center construction throwing existing data center build-out in Texas into uncertainty.
Worry about Hinojosa’s positions has caused Texas state Rep. Brian Harrison (R) to call on Abbott to curb her power before next year. He warned in a social media post that Hinojosa should not have “unchecked emergency powers,” and that “the urgency is undeniable… and inaction is intolerable.”
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