Texas Governor-elect Gina Hinojosa has pledged to introduce new regulations to protect residents from the impact of data centre projects when she assumes office in January.
Hinojosa made the commitment during an appearance on CNN on Thursday night, arguing that data centre operators have been taking advantage of communities, particularly in rural parts of the state.
She maintained that although Texas would remain open to business and industrial development, companies must ensure their activities provide tangible benefits to local residents.
“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,” she said.
She further accused data centre developers of establishing facilities in rural communities without adequate regulations to safeguard residents.
“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,” Hinojosa added.
The incoming governor said her administration would introduce legislation to protect affected communities and suspend cooperation with data centre operators until the necessary safeguards were established.
She stressed that economic growth and the protection of residents could be achieved simultaneously.
“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 said.
During the interview, CNN anchor Jake Tapper sought clarification on whether Hinojosa intended to prevent data centres from being established in Texas altogether or simply wanted stronger regulations governing their operations.
He suggested that her position was to ensure communities had adequate protections and a voice in decisions concerning projects within their areas.
Hinojosa agreed, emphasising the importance of involving residents in such decisions.
“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,” she responded.
She insisted that her opposition was not directed at data centres as an industry but at the manner in which some operators conduct business in the state.
“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,” she said.
Hinojosa defeated incumbent Republican Governor Greg Abbott in the election, securing victory alongside other Democratic candidates who recorded wins in various races across the state.
Following his defeat, Abbott conceded and pledged to support the incoming administration during the transition period.
He told supporters that he would “assist her and her team in a period of transition.”
During her election campaign, Hinojosa adopted a populist position on the expansion of data centres, appealing to concerns among voters about the influence of wealthy investors and companies behind the projects.
She had earlier promised to introduce a moratorium on new data centre construction, a proposal that raised uncertainty over the future of the industry’s expansion in Texas.
Her position has also attracted criticism from Republican lawmakers. Texas State Representative Brian Harrison called on Abbott to take steps to limit the incoming governor’s authority before next year.
In a social media post, Harrison warned against allowing Hinojosa to exercise “unchecked emergency powers,” adding that “the urgency is undeniable… and inaction is intolerable.”
