Skybox backs Abbott’s push for data center transparency in Texas

Skybox Datacenters is endorsing Gov. Greg Abbott’s call for tougher oversight of data center power, water and community impacts as Texas sees more digital infrastructure investment. The Dallas-based developer says clearer standards can protect ratepayers and help projects grow without straining local resources.

Why it matters: - Texas is drawing major data center investment, and the state is now pressing for more visibility into how those projects affect the grid, water supplies and nearby communities. - Skybox’s support adds industry backing for rules that could shape how new facilities are approved and operated in Texas. - The company is also signaling that responsible development and faster digital infrastructure growth do not have to conflict.

What happened: - Skybox Datacenters said it supports Gov. Greg Abbott’s effort to strengthen transparency and accountability across Texas’ data center sector. - Abbott has directed a comprehensive audit of power use, water use and community impacts for projects seeking to connect to the Texas grid. - The Dallas-based developer framed the move as part of a broader push to grow the state’s digital infrastructure while protecting grid reliability and ratepayers.

The details: - Skybox is a Texas-based data center developer, owner and operator with projects rooted in Texas communities. - The company was founded in Texas in 2014 and is headquartered in Dallas. - Skybox says it ranks among the top 10 data center developers in North America. - CEO and co-founder Rob Morris said the company welcomes clear standards that safeguard water and power resources and hold every developer to the same expectations. - Skybox says it has operated collaboratively with community partners for more than a decade. - The company said it supports the Ratepayer Protection Pledge and structures projects so local households and businesses do not bear the cost of powering its facilities. - Skybox said it supports full disclosure of power and water use and the verification standards Texas is putting in place for the industry. - The company said its facilities use closed-loop cooling systems that recirculate water rather than continuously drawing from local supplies. - Skybox said it has used closed-loop cooling since 2015 and exclusively in all projects since 2020. - Skybox said it designs for high power efficiency across its portfolio. - The company said it plans for noise, light and land use so facilities fit the character of host communities. - Skybox said it partners with organizations, schools and civic institutions where it operates. - The company said it will continue working with the governor, state regulators, utilities and local leaders to support long-term growth in Texas. - A company announcement points readers to Skybox’s community impact approach.

Between the lines: - Skybox is positioning itself as a model developer at a time when Texas policymakers are likely to face more pressure to balance economic growth with resource constraints. - The message is aimed at both regulators and local communities: accept stricter oversight, but treat responsible operators differently from less transparent ones. - By emphasizing ratepayer protection and water conservation, Skybox is trying to show that data center expansion can align with public concerns, not just corporate demand.

What's next: - Skybox said it wants to keep working with ERCOT, the Public Utility Commission of Texas, utility partners and community stakeholders. - The company expects Texas’ new scrutiny to become part of the broader framework for data center development in the state. - Abbott’s audit and any resulting standards could influence how future projects are planned, disclosed and connected to the grid.

The bottom line: - Skybox is publicly lining up behind Abbott’s push for transparency, betting that clearer rules will help legitimize data center growth in Texas while limiting strain on power and water resources.