Ken Paxton Unveils 'Texas First' Data Center Plan

Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) is putting data centers at the center of his Senate campaign's energy and technology agenda, arguing that Texas should expand its role in artificial intelligence without allowing the industry to drive up electricity costs, disrupt communities, or compromise children's safety.

Paxton's campaign outlined four priorities in its "Texas First Data Center Plan," including proposals Paxton says would protect Texas' power grid and communities while helping the United States compete with China in AI.

One proposal calls for legislation prohibiting Chinese technology from being used to power American data centers or incorporated into their infrastructure.

Paxton also wants legislation that would hold data center companies criminally liable if their facilities enable AI chatbots to undermine children's safety.

"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," said Paxton. "Texas First. Always."

At the federal level, Paxton said he would co-sponsor the proposed DATA Act, S. 3585, which his campaign says would eliminate outdated regulations and create new power systems designed to prevent data center growth from increasing electricity costs for Texans.

The plan also backs Abbott's state-level data center proposals, including restrictions on AI data centers in rural Texas neighborhoods and requirements addressing setbacks, noise, lighting, traffic end emergency coordination during periods of grid stress.

Paxton's campaign additionally supports repealing sales tax exemptions and other incentives while requiring data centers to pay for their electricity infrastructure and add generating capacity to the Texas grid.