by Kevin Killough
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a Republican, unveiled a four-point plan to “fiercely advocate” for Gov. Greg Abbot’s state-level data center restrictions.
Paxton’s plan includes sponsoring or backing various federal legislation, including bills that prohibit the use of Chinese technology to power data centers. He would also pursue legislation to hold data center developers criminally liable if their infrastructure “empowers AI chatbots that undermine children’s safety,” The Hill reported.
The attorney general also said he’d co-sponsor the Decentralized Access to Technology Alternatives Act, a bill from Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.). The legislation exempts new, off-grid electricity providers from some federal regulations, which aims to prevent data centers’ electricity use from increasing electricity rates for consumers.
Paxton also said that he will “champion” Abbot’s data center plan, which prohibits building AI data centers in Texas neighborhoods, repeals tax incentives, and imposes other restrictions on how and where they’re built.
“My Texas First Data Center Plan will protect our grid, our communities, and our children while ensuring America beats Communist China in the AI race,” Paxton said in a post on X.
In Michigan, Republican Mike Rogers, who is also running in a close Senate race, came out in support of data center restrictions. Rogers said he would support a one-year ban on new data center development in Michigan, according to Detroit News.
“While I don’t support a federal ban, Michigan needs stronger guardrails to protect community control, prevent utility price hikes, protect our water and stop pay-to-play schemes,” Rogers told the outlet.
“That is why I am calling for a one-year moratorium on new data centers until we establish a fair, transparent approval process that puts local communities first,” he added.
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Kevin Killough is a reporter for Just the News. Zachery Schmidt is the digital editor of The Star News Network and contributed to this story.
