University of Houston poll finds 99% of Texas voters back data center grid payment rule

Who's involved

• University of Houston Hobby School of Public AffairsConducted survey
• Mark P. JonesHobby School Senior Research Fellow
• Renée CrossHobby School senior executive director and professor of practice

The facts

• Survey of 2,000 likely voters conducted Oct. 10-14 with margin of error of plus or minus 2.19 percentage points.²
• 99% of respondents supported requiring data centers to pay for electricity grid upgrades.^{1 2} Stated by 2 sources
• 79% of respondents supported a cap on data center construction in Texas.²
• Nearly 70% reported being extremely or very concerned about data center impacts on electricity prices, water supply, and power outages.¹
• 38% of respondents believed data centers would have little to no beneficial impact on tax revenue.^{1 2} Stated by 2 sources
• 40% of respondents believed data centers would have little to no beneficial impact on job creation.^{1 2} Stated by 2 sources
• 45% of respondents believed data centers would have beneficial impact on local technological advancement.^{1 2} Stated by 2 sources
• 65% of respondents believed artificial intelligence would do more harm than good to society.²

Who said what

These are statements and claims made by the people involved. They are reported, not verified.

• Mark P. Jones, Hobby School Senior Research Fellow Major split along partisan lines: 93% of Democrats and 70% of independents very or extremely concerned about electricity price impacts; 51% of Republicans reported same concern.¹
• Renée Cross, Hobby School senior executive director Public officials who supported data center buildout touted jobs and tax revenue benefits, but majority of Texas voters clearly disagree.²