government
Texas Ag Commissioner Miller urges Governor Abbott to call special session on data center expansion
By KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS)
· July 7, 2026
· 1 min read
AUSTIN, Texas (KCBD) - Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller on Tuesday urged Governor Greg Abbott to call a special legislative session to address the rapid growth of large-scale data centers, saying the state could miss its chance to curb projects that he argues threaten rural communities, ...
Key takeaway “If the Governor truly wants stronger safeguards, there’s only one way to remove any doubt: call a Special Session now,” Miller said.
Why this matters in The Midland
The push for a special legislative session to address data center expansion has significant implications for the Midland -Odessa area, where the Permian Basin's thriving energy industry has already put a strain on local resources. As data centers continue to pop up across the state, rural communities like those in Midland County may face increased competition for water and electricity, threatening the livelihoods of local farmers and ranchers. With the Electric Reliability Council of Texas potentially approving more projects in the near future, the clock is indeed ticking for lawmakers to take action. The Permian Basin's unique position as a hub for both energy production and technological innovation makes it a crucial testing ground for balancing economic growth with environmental and community concerns. As the debate over data center expansion heats up, Midland residents should pay close attention to how their elected officials respond to Commissioner Miller's call for a special session.
About this story
Original reporting by KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) . The Midland 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 KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: government ·
Published: July 7, 2026 ·
Source: KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? AUSTIN, Texas (KCBD) - Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller on Tuesday urged Governor Greg Abbott to call a special legislative session to address the rapid growth of large-scale data centers, saying the state could miss its chance to curb projects that he argues threaten rural communities, ...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 7, 2026 by KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) and curated for The Midland readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS). To learn more about how The Midland selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more government coverage from The Midland, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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