Texas Governor Greg Abbott and California Governor Gavin Newsom just introduced new data center rules, and it's a big win for local communities

(Image credit: Shutterstock/Sashkin) Texas Gov. Abbott bans new data center grid connections until key audit is finishedCalifornia Gov.

Newsom introduces new laws regulating data center land, energy, and water usageFederal regulations could also be coming soon, but the midterms are still to goAI data centers in the US have been dealt another blow due to new regulations and rules rolled out in Texas and California.Texas Governor Greg Abbott has expanded the reach of a de facto moratorium on new data centers until a new electricity audit has been completed, effectively preventing any new data centers from being granted environmental permits or grid permissions.At the same time, California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed into law new regulations which provide communities with greater control over the water, electricity, and land use of data centers built in the state.States are backing communities, not big tech“Simply put, Texans must come first,” Texas Governor Abbott said. “Data centers must pay their own way, protect our grid and water, and complete the ERCOT and audits” (via Politico).According to ERCOT, which operates the Texas electricity grid, approvals for data centers to connect could be paused until December when the audit is expected to be completed.

First reported by TechRadar.