Texas is becoming a hot spot for data centers. The Lone Star State is home to more than 300 data centers, according to ENOUGH previous reporting, with several proposed in Montgomery County.
As Election Day approaches, some voters are questioning how the rapid growth of the industry could affect their daily lives — and their ballots.
Data centers help power everything from artificial intelligence to the apps people use every day. They require enormous amounts of electricity and often water to keep machines running.
For some Montgomery County residents, the connection between data centers and everyday life isn’t immediately clear.
“It may or may not affect day to day, but honestly I don’t have enough research behind it to connect with what I’m dealing with on a day to day basis as far as what I’m spending money on,” said Ashley Morgan, a voter in Montgomery County.
A new University of Houston survey shows many Texas voters are questioning whether the benefits of data centers are worth the cost.
Jobs, growth, concerns over who pays the bill
Not everyone sees the issue the same way. For those in industries tied to the real estate and development boom, data centers represent economic opportunity.
“I’m in commercial real estate, so we got several deals just in our small office in The Woodlands that we’re working that, you know, are data center related,” said John Hornbuckle, a voter in Montgomery County. “I think it is bringing a lot of good paying jobs to Houston.”
Others, however, are concerned about who shoulders the financial burden when large corporations move in.
“I feel like the local people around the data centers are the ones paying the bill instead of the people that actually own these data centers,” said Jerry Lazo, a voter in Montgomery County. “I just don’t want any of my bills to go up more from where they are already at.”
Ron Welsh, another Montgomery County voter, takes a more pragmatic view.
“My thoughts are that data centers are coming. They are not going anywhere, we are going to live with it,” Welsh said.
Voters call for limits, oversight
According to the University of Houston’s Hobby School survey, 79% of Texas voters want limits on how many data centers can be built in the state.
“I feel like it’s something that should be voter approved,” said Michelle Baker, a voter in Montgomery County.
Some residents put the issue in even starker terms.
“I rather have water than artificial intelligence,” said Teawana, a voter in Montgomery County.
No matter which side of the debate voters fall on, this election could help shape Texas’ future on the data center issue.
