Texas AG data center water-reporting investigation (2026)

Office of the Attorney General of Texas press release, Sept. 24, 2026 (a Thursday): 'Attorney General Paxton Launches Landmark Investigation into Hundreds of Data Center Developments in Texas to Ensure Compliance with Water Use Reporting Requirements.' Scope: data center developments that have not responded to the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) water use survey; the OAG describes 'an ongoing investigation into all data center developments in Texas' and demands that all data centers submit a survey response in full compliance with the law. Initial counties (18): Harris, Montgomery, Travis, Dallas, Tarrant, Smith, Bexar, Tom Green, Potter, Randall, Lubbock, Midland, Ector, Wichita, Victoria, Brazos, Nueces, El Paso. Paxton quote: 'My office is currently investigating hundreds of data center developments.' Statutory background per Dallas Express (not in the OAG release): the survey duty covers municipal, industrial, power-generation and mining water users; TWDB identifies data centers as industrial survey respondents; failure to complete the survey is a Class C misdemeanor and, per TWDB guidance, can make a respondent ineligible for certain TWDB financial assistance and TCEQ water permits/renewals. Follows Gov. Abbott's Sept. 14, 2026 TWDB directive (Texas TWDB data center water reporting penalties (2026); TWDB update due Oct. 14). NOT ESTABLISHED: investigative instrument (e.g., CIDs), response deadline, named companies, any charges or suits filed.