We are in a drought, and it is reported that the Tesla Gigafactory used more than 200 million gallons of water between 2023 and 2025.
Add this to the water use of all these data centers that we are attracting, and the fact that Texas towns are now basically without water, plus the addition of immigrant detention centers around Texas, and all we do is pile on the water problem.
We need regulations now around water usage besides the “water only once a week” directive.
Richard Harrison
Re: April 17 article, “ERCOT: Demand to soar by 2032”
The Electric Reliability Council of Texas predicts that, within six years, summer electric demand in Texas will not double, not triple, but quadruple.
Much of the demand will come from power-hungry data centers, which also require vast amounts of water.
Meanwhile, the commentary by Los Angeles Times Columnist Mark Z. Barabak, “A political impulse: If you don’t like it, leave,” says that one of Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows’ priorities for next year’s session is studying whether we should annex some eastern New Mexico counties.
I agree with the column that “there are better, more productive ways for lawmakers to spend their time.”
A high priority for the Republicans who run our increasingly hot and drought-ridden state should be to rethink all these data centers they keep pushing on us.
Robin McMillion
Re: Dec. 23 article, “Administration suspends 5 wind projects off the East Coast over security concerns”
It is mind boggling that large offshore wind energy projects that are under construction were paused by the Trump administration in the name of national security. These projects were awarded permits following review by state and federal agencies. The Department of Defense was consulted at every stage of the permitting process. Based on my professional experience, design and construction of large projects go through an arduous permitting process to ensure safety and security.
Clean energy reduces dependence on polluting fossil fuels, improving people’s health. That is why most Americans want to transition to clean power. This administration has routinely thrown roadblocks to this transition, showing a lack of concern for the welfare of its own people.
New data centers are moving forward in the U.S. They are energy guzzlers, raising overall electricity prices for all customers. To ensure access to affordable energy, the pause must be lifted so these wind energy projects can finish.
Kalpana Sutaria, Media Team Leader for the Austin, Texas Chapter, Citizens’ Climate Lobby
Published in the Austin American-Statesman, January 4, 2026
Voices of Austin @CCLATX 