Governor Abbott's relentless support for the unfettered explosion of data centers and 765kV high-voltage transmission lines is creating a perilous risk in advance of the November elections.
Republicans in recent years have been able to rely on rural Texans to counterbalance urban voters who are increasingly voting Democratic. The margins are tighter than ever before and Abbott's failure to take tangible action is poised to result in erosion of Republican support in key areas.
Our governor is beginning to feel the pressure as local and regional grassroots landowner groups are proliferating and mobilizing folks on these issues. These groups are bringing together a bipartisan force to be reckoned with. An indication of their effectiveness is that the special interests in the tech and utility industries are urgently ramping up well-funded lobbying efforts and shadow advocacy groups to protect their payday.
No doubt, a minority of landowners will have the once in a lifetime opportunity to sell property to create generational wealth for their families. We can't fault them, but the reality is that many more landowners will pay the costs---facing seizure of their property through eminent domain, or degraded property values because of the construction of huge transmission lines and industrial data centers. The bottom line is that an increasing number of landowners feel threatened and abandoned by our leaders.
All of this does not even consider the warnings from many experts that our drought-stricken state is running out of water, and that electricity bills for all of us are going to soar to unprecedented levels.
Texans are smart. They see the difference between the Governor's politics and hollow statements and what truly needs to be done to protect our state. Look what the governor has failed to do:
1.) Call for a moratorium on data centers and pause the routing of High-Voltage transmission lines. The governor could take these actions today but has not. By failing to act and show leadership he's allowing the special interests to continue develop these projects at a frenetic pace without any accountability.
2.) Convene an immediate Special Session of the Legislature to evaluate the impact of data centers and transmission lines and to give local authorities the power to regulate these types of developments. City and County governments, and groundwater districts need the statutory authority to demand local accountability and stop projects that cannot protect our resources and landowner property rights. Why do state leaders want to continue to suppress accountability and local control?
3.) Reject the Millions in Campaign Contributions he's received from Black Mountain Power and countless others who stand to profit from these developments. In many instances the politicians pad their bank accounts while these companies move forward unrestricted. Have you hear the phrase--follow the money--before?
Right now, Legislative Committees and state agencies such as the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, the Public Utility Commission of Texas are holding hearings on data centers, dwindling water resources, and high-voltage transmission line projects. Keep in mind most of these proceedings are being led by officials who have either been endorsed or appointed by Governor Abbott. What do you think the result will be?
This fall many traditional Republicans will be faced with the decision of either holding their noses and voting for GOP candidates--- or considering the option of just not voting out of protest.
The risks only increase as our Governor delays any true action to protect future generations on these issues.
November will be here before we know it….
Republicans in recent years have been able to rely on rural Texans to counterbalance urban voters who are increasingly voting Democratic. The margins are tighter than ever before and Abbott's failure to take tangible action is poised to result in erosion of Republican support in key areas.
Our governor is beginning to feel the pressure as local and regional grassroots landowner groups are proliferating and mobilizing folks on these issues. These groups are bringing together a bipartisan force to be reckoned with. An indication of their effectiveness is that the special interests in the tech and utility industries are urgently ramping up well-funded lobbying efforts and shadow advocacy groups to protect their payday.
No doubt, a minority of landowners will have the once in a lifetime opportunity to sell property to create generational wealth for their families. We can't fault them, but the reality is that many more landowners will pay the costs---facing seizure of their property through eminent domain, or degraded property values because of the construction of huge transmission lines and industrial data centers. The bottom line is that an increasing number of landowners feel threatened and abandoned by our leaders.
All of this does not even consider the warnings from many experts that our drought-stricken state is running out of water, and that electricity bills for all of us are going to soar to unprecedented levels.
Texans are smart. They see the difference between the Governor's politics and hollow statements and what truly needs to be done to protect our state. Look what the governor has failed to do:
1.) Call for a moratorium on data centers and pause the routing of High-Voltage transmission lines. The governor could take these actions today but has not. By failing to act and show leadership he's allowing the special interests to continue develop these projects at a frenetic pace without any accountability.
2.) Convene an immediate Special Session of the Legislature to evaluate the impact of data centers and transmission lines and to give local authorities the power to regulate these types of developments. City and County governments, and groundwater districts need the statutory authority to demand local accountability and stop projects that cannot protect our resources and landowner property rights. Why do state leaders want to continue to suppress accountability and local control?
3.) Reject the Millions in Campaign Contributions he's received from Black Mountain Power and countless others who stand to profit from these developments. In many instances the politicians pad their bank accounts while these companies move forward unrestricted. Have you hear the phrase--follow the money--before?
Right now, Legislative Committees and state agencies such as the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, the Public Utility Commission of Texas are holding hearings on data centers, dwindling water resources, and high-voltage transmission line projects. Keep in mind most of these proceedings are being led by officials who have either been endorsed or appointed by Governor Abbott. What do you think the result will be?
This fall many traditional Republicans will be faced with the decision of either holding their noses and voting for GOP candidates--- or considering the option of just not voting out of protest.
The risks only increase as our Governor delays any true action to protect future generations on these issues.
November will be here before we know it….
