A survey from the Hobby School of Public Affairs at the University of Houston, released Tuesday, found that 99 percent of the 2,000 likely Texas voters polled supported requiring data center companies to pay for the electricity grid upgrades needed to serve their data centers. The study said 1 percent opposed such a policy.
Respondents rated their concern about impacts of data centers in their communities on air pollution, electricity prices, noise, power outages and water supply. Nearly 70 percent said they were extremely or very concerned about electricity prices, water supply and power outages, and about 15 percent reported little or no concern. Hobby School Senior Research Fellow Mark P. Jones said 93 percent of Democrats, 70 percent of independents and 51 percent of Republicans were very or extremely concerned about electricity prices. About 53 percent were extremely or very concerned about noise and air pollution.
Respondents were most likely to say data centers would have a beneficial impact on technological advancement, about 45 percent, and improved electrical infrastructure, about 40 percent. About 38 percent said data centers would have little or no beneficial impact on tax revenue, and 40 percent said the same about job creation. A majority said a new data center in their community would have a negative effect on home values. Hobby School Senior Executive Director Reneé Cross said public officials who supported data center buildout have touted benefits for jobs, tax revenue and the economy, "but the majority of Texas voters clearly disagree."