Republican Texas Governor Greg Abbott has said that new data centres in the state will have to comply with regulations before building begins.
The directive, announced on Monday evening, is sure to cause concern in conservative Texas, where politicians routinely highlight the importance of cutting bureacracy, being business-friendly and leading the artificial intelligence boom.
Under the Texas directive, data centre developers must inform the state about how much financial assistance they might need for construction, estimated electricity and water use, lowering noise, light controls and ownership details.
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“Our top priority is to protect Texans’ safety and quality of life,” Mr Abbott said. “Any project that fails to comply with the requirements set forth by the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT), Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), and by state law, must be denied connection to the Texas grid.
“Simply put, Texans must come first.”
The Electric Reliability Council of Texas warned this week that by 2032, the demand placed on the state’s energy grid was projected to double. The state’s grid has been under increased strain in recent years, with a growing population, extreme weather and cryptocurrency mining operations, in addition to data centres.
Mr Abbott’s order shows how much opposition to data centres has grown over the year throughout the US, where polls show voters are increasingly concerned about environmental effects, noise and possible increases in residential electricity costs.
The unprecedented investment and use of AI has spurred a push from Big Tech and energy companies to build more data centres, but that has placed more strain on the US energy grid. It has also caused electricity prices to rise sharply in many parts of the country.
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Texas’s comprehensive data centre audit follows the recent decision from Democratic New York Governor Kathy Hochul to put a one-year moratorium on building data centres.
That has been heavily criticised by US President Donald Trump, who campaigned on taking a less regulatory approach to AI.
But even Mr Trump has adjusted his approach in recent months, calling on data centre companies and Big Tech firms to commit to providing their own electricity and not taking as much from the grid.
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According to the Pew Research Centre, Texas trails only Virginia when it comes to the number of existing and planned data centres. Virginia has 398 data centres operating, while Texas has 296.
State legislators in Delaware, Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Vermont have also introduced legislation to try to slow or stop data centre construction, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
Polling firm Gallup said seven in 10 Americans were against data centres being built near their homes.
A similar survey by the Yale Programme on Climate Change indicated that 60 per cent of registered US voters believe a data centre in their area would raise their electricity costs.
Proponents of data centres say concerns are overblown. During a recent speech in Washington, US Energy Secretary Chris Wright told an audience of technology experts and business leaders that there were many misconceptions.
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“They’ve just heard one side of the story, and if you can honestly and candidly and sincerely engage with people, just short conversations, they look in your eyes, they can tell you’re an honest person, that’s how you change hearts and minds,” he said.
AUSTIN, Texas — Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning issued an apology Tuesday following backlash for laughing at an AI-generated video depicting head coach Steve Sarkisian hitting ESPN reporter Holly Rowe.
During a press conference on Monday, Manning discussed AI edits he has seen online following the Longhorns’ win against Ohio State on Saturday night.
“I saw an AI edit of Sark’s interview, you’ve all seen that one?” Manning asked the room of reporters. “That’s a good one, of him slapping Holly Rowe.”
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Manning is seen laughing along with members of the press before adding, “It’s hilarious.”
ALSO | UT students attacked by Bo French call his comments “disgusting” and too familiar
A clip of the interaction sparked controversy online, with some criticizing Manning for trivializing violence against women.
Manning posted the following statement on his Instagram story Tuesday:
In my press conference yesterday, I made an insensitive comment about an AI video. There is nothing funny about it. It’s easy to say I didn’t mean it, but I know my words and actions were hurtful to a lot of people. I do not take that lightly and am deeply sorry for that.
I specifically want to apologize to Holly Rowe for what she has personally had to deal with because of my comments. I have a ton of respect for her and appreciate her showing me grace in this moment. I need to do better and will be more thoughtful going forward.
ESPN declined to comment on the matter on Tuesday.
Texas ex, RC Danle, reacts to the controversy involving Bo French’s racially charged X post, which showed a photo of UT Austin students at a recent football game. Damle was the first Southeast Asian American to become the International President of a nationwide fraternity, for Delta Chi Fraternity. “For those that spoke up, thank you. For those that haven’t, shame on you.”
Mike Locksley and the Maryland Terrapins took care of business Saturday in East Hartford, defeating UConn 38-14 and moving to 2-0 on the young season.
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But for the second straight week, several other Big Ten programs hit a lot more turbulence, including not just one but two losses from AP Top-10 programs. We’ll begin with the latter of those two games…
Number 1 No More
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Sept. 12, 2026; Austin, TX; Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day watches his players leave the field following their NCAA football game against the Texas Longhorns at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium. Photo by Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
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What started as a dominant showing for the once-removed National Champions turned into absolute cinema in Austin.
No. 1 ranked Ohio State held a commanding 23-3 lead over No. 4 Texas entering the fourth quarter. To that point, the Longhorns’ offense had been largely inefficient, with several drive stalling drops and one incredibly flimsy interception.
That was until Arch Manning put together a comeback that showed why he is a Heisman candidate, leading Texas to three straight touchdown drives and a 24-23 victory.
The Buckeyes’ collapse also involved yet another missed field goal that would have effectively sealed the game, as well as poor clock management by head coach Ryan Day.
This outcome doesn’t mean that the Terps’ trip to the Shoe in Week 6 will be any easier – in fact, Ohio State should shouldn’t be overlooking any opponent, with a second loss likely to knock them out of a first round Playoff bye.
The Buckeyes dropped down to No. 6 in the AP rankings after this defeat, but they were not the only Big Ten titan to be slain on Saturday…
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“What a Scene in Stillwater”
Sept. 12, 2026; Stillwater, OK; Oregon players walk off after losing to Oklahoma State as fans storm the field at Boone Pickens Stadium. Photo by Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
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The Oregon Ducks were the other victim of a major upset, falling to Oklahoma State 39-31 Saturday afternoon.
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Don’t let the final score fool you: Oregon was utterly outplayed by a squad that lost by 14 to Tulsa last weekend.
The Cowboys outgained the Ducks 554 yards to 281, and the only reason this ended as a one score game was a pair of gift interceptions that were both converted into TDs.
Coupled with last week’s very close game against Boise State, and all of a sudden, what was supposed to be a Big Ten Championship contender has some serious soul searching to do before conference play begins. For now, they sink all the way down to No. 21 in the AP poll.
Other Terps Opponents Tumble
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Maryland’s old ACC conference mates also did some damage to a trio of other Big Ten programs:
Duke squeezed out a 31-27 victory at Illinois, handing the Fighting Illini a huge blow after they started the year just outside the Top-25. The Terps host Illinois Halloween weekend in what is regarded as a toss-up game.
Boston College became the second Massachusetts based team to beat Rutgers, holding on for a 28-21 win in Chestnut Hill. The Scarlet Knights’ season already looks dead in the water, and their Week 7 matchup in College Park may be without head coach Greg Schiano.
Wake Forest outlasted Purdue 38-36 in double overtime, putting a sour end on what was otherwise a performance from the Boilermakers’ offense. Maryland travels to West Lafayette November 7 and is currently projected as a strong favorite.
Top-25 Shuffling
After their near nebacle in Week 1, Michigan rebounded to form and stunned No. 11 Oklahoma 17-10 in the Big House. The win bumped them back up to No. 19 – three ranks below where they started.
Meanwhile, four other Big Ten teams remain ranked after their own Week 2 victories:
(Despite also winning, Washington was overtaken by Virginia at the No. 25 spot.)
Maryland did not receive any votes, but they next face a Virginia Tech squad who was just outside the pack with 11. The Hokies defeated Old Dominion 44-21 and head to College Park for a 7:30 showdown on Saturday.
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