~ In a recent press release, Governor Greg Abbott announced that QTS Data Centers has committed to complying with the standards and guidelines he established for data center development in Texas. The company has also agreed to participate in the state's comprehensive audit process.

Governor Abbott emphasized the importance of prioritizing the quality of life for Texans over the growth of data centers. He stated, "Let's be clear: the growth of data centers must not come before the quality of life of Texans." The Governor's standards aim to ensure that data centers protect the electric grid, conserve water, respect neighborhoods, and pay their own way without passing costs onto Texas families.

Earlier this summer, Governor Abbott directed the Public Utilities Commission of Texas (PUCT) and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) to establish clear and commonsense statewide standards for data center development. These standards require data centers to pay for their own electric infrastructure, reuse their own water, reduce electricity costs for Texans, avoid disrupting residential neighborhoods, and eliminate reliance on taxpayer-funded incentives.

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Building on these standards, Governor Abbott also directed PUCT and ERCOT to pause all pending data center interconnection requests until each project undergoes a comprehensive audit by ERCOT. This audit will examine how each project plans to pay its own way, provide its own power through on-site generation or other measures, protect water resources, minimize impacts on neighboring communities, and disclose project ownership and controlling interests.

Any data center company that fails to comply with ERCOT's audit process will be denied access to interconnect with the Texas grid. Since these directives were issued by Governor Abbott, several companies have responded.

Diode announced that it failed to meet the Governor's standards and will not pursue a proposed data center in Henderson County. On the other hand, Amazon sent a letter stating their commitment to working with the State of Texas and embracing the Governor's standards. Google also welcomed these standards and pledged to work with state leaders to ensure data centers increase affordability, protect resources, and create new jobs.

In addition, Chevron announced plans to build a Texas power plant for a Microsoft data center that will mitigate impacts on water resources and the grid. This makes it compliant with the Governor's standards.

Governor Abbott's efforts to establish clear and responsible standards for data center development in Texas have received positive responses from companies like QTS Data Centers, Amazon, Google, and Chevron. It is evident that these standards are necessary to protect the quality of life for Texans and ensure responsible growth in the data center industry.

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