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State lawmakers demand answers on Texas data centers’ water use
By Jasmine Lotts at CBS7 / KOSA-TV News (firstalert7.com)
· June 24, 2026
· 4 min read
AUSTIN, Texas (KWTX) - State lawmakers are demanding answers about how much water Texas data centers are actually using, and why the state still doesn’t have a clear number.The Texas House Committee on Natural Resources met Tuesday in Austin to take up the issue, hearing from Texans, the Texas Wa...
Key takeaway Cody Harris (R-District 8) opened the hearing by calling out companies by name that were invited to testify, but were no-shows.
Why this matters in The Odessa
The growth of data centers in Texas, including the Permian Basin area, has significant implications for local water resources. As the state struggles to track water usage by these facilities, communities like Odessa must consider the potential impact on their own water supplies. With more than half of Texas counties lacking groundwater conservation districts, the lack of regulation on groundwater pumping by data centers is particularly concerning for areas like Ector County. The fact that many data centers are not reporting their water usage, despite being required to do so, only adds to the uncertainty. As the Texas House Committee on Natural Resources continues to investigate this issue, residents of Odessa and surrounding areas will be watching closely to see how the state addresses these concerns and ensures that the rapid expansion of data centers does not come at the expense of local water resources.
About this story
Original reporting by CBS7 / KOSA-TV News (firstalert7.com) . The Odessa surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit CBS7 / KOSA-TV News (firstalert7.com) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 24, 2026 ·
Source: CBS7 / KOSA-TV News (firstalert7.com) ·
Reading time: 4 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? AUSTIN, Texas (KWTX) - State lawmakers are demanding answers about how much water Texas data centers are actually using, and why the state still doesn’t have a clear number.The Texas House Committee on Natural Resources met Tuesday in Austin to take up the issue, hearing from Texans, the Texas Wa...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 24, 2026 by CBS7 / KOSA-TV News (firstalert7.com) and curated for The Odessa readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Jasmine Lotts at CBS7 / KOSA-TV News (firstalert7.com). To learn more about how The Odessa selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Odessa, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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