Headline Roundup • September 22nd, 2026
Texas and California Find Common Ground on Data Center Limits
Technology,Big Tech,Artificial Intelligence,Data Centers,Texas,California,Common Ground,Greg Abbott,Gavin Newsom
Summary from the AllSides News Team
Texas and California displayed some common ground recently with both states implementing limits on data center development.
"Not Exactly Surprising": Business Insider (Lean Left bias) highlighted the common ground found between California Governor Gavin Newsom (D) and Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R), saying the regulations are "Finally something" the states can agree on. The article said "It's not exactly surprising to see the two political adversaries set their sights on the same target, given that it's become a nonpartisan political issue," adding that "Democrats and Republicans have expressed concerns about the impacts of data centers, and Americans across the country have turned out to protest proposed developments."
"Angers Texas Communities": "Simply put, Texans must come first" according to Abbott. The Texas Tribune (Lean Left) highlighted Abbot's statements, saying his move "to stop issuing new permits for data centers" comes "as rapid data center development statewide angers Texas communities ahead of Abbott's November reelection bid."
"Backlash And A Pivot": CalMatters (Center) said that "Newsom clamps down on California data centers as voters turn against the industry," explaining that he "signed seven data center bills into law on Monday." The outlet highlighted that Newsom "contrasted the new regulations with President Donald Trump's hands-off approach to data centers and artificial intelligence." However, the article also mentioned that "Newsom's signature on the new laws represents a significant departure from his actions on data centers last year," adding that the "pivot from his [Newsom] own past vetoes" came after "facing growing public backlash."
RELATED: The Insight: The Data Center Dilemma
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Featured Coverage of this Story
Often used as shorthand for two opposing sides of America, California and Texas have finally found common ground — on data centers breaking ground.
Gov. Greg Abbott ordered the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality on Monday to stop issuing new permits for data centers, strengthening his moratorium on the industry's development in Texas.
Anna Hoch-Kenney, CalMatters
Facing growing public backlash and a pivot from his own past vetoes, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a sweeping package of seven bills on Monday that aim to force the data center industry to pay its own way in California.
