HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Governor-elect Gina Hinojosa is promising to ban and pause construction of new data centers to "protect Texans." Still, a political expert says the ban will apply only to new projects, not those already operating or under construction.

Hinojosa said she wants rules and guidelines for data centers, which are powering the artificial intelligence boom.

In a new interview, she said data centers and community protections can go hand in hand.