Governor Greg Abbott recently released the response from the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) to his June 10 directive that shows they are already taking concrete steps to protect residential ratepayers from the costs of data center expansion.

"I directed the Public Utility Commission and ERCOT to protect Texans from the costs of data center expansion and they are putting that direction into action," said Governor Abbott.

"Residential ratepayers will not foot the bill for this industry's growth. These actions keep electric bills affordable and protect the water our communities need." On June 10, Governor Abbott directed the PUCT to make data centers pay for the electric infrastructure they need so Texas families are not stuck with the bill, to ensure that connecting data centers actually lowers residential electric bills, and to work with ERCOT on additional steps that protect ratepayers.