Meta says it will “pay its own way” on Texas data-center energy and water costs, backing state review of growth

Meta has publicly backed Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s call for a comprehensive review of data-center growth in the state, framing the company’s stance around ratepayer protection, water conservation, and what it says is responsible development.

In a statement released through its newsroom on August 10, Meta commended Abbott’s leadership and said it welcomes the governor’s “continued efforts” on protecting ratepayers and conserving water. Meta also cast the issue as one of building infrastructure in a way that does not shift operating costs onto consumers.

A central part of Meta’s message was a commitment to pay the full costs of the energy and water used by its data centers. Meta said it “pays the full costs” of those resources so they are “not passed on to consumers,” positioning the policy as a guardrail as Texas evaluates how quickly more large facilities can be added.

Meta said it supports a comprehensive review of data center growth in Texas and expects to work with state and industry officials, utilities, and local communities. The company said it is looking for a collaborative approach while it continues expanding its operations in the state.

The company also emphasized its workforce and local footprint. “For Meta, we don’t just build here, we invest here,” it said, adding that “thousands of Meta employees” call Texas home. Meta did not offer updated headcount figures or specify how many facilities it operates in the state in the statement.

Meta pointed readers to more information about its data-center initiatives and its approach to responsible growth at a dedicated program site. The company linked that effort through its page, describing the measures as part of its broader infrastructure strategy.

Meta’s backing of a state-led review lands in a sector where power capacity, grid reliability, and water availability increasingly shape expansion plans. Large data centers can be major electricity and water users, and governments are under growing pressure to ensure that growth does not strain utilities or impose costs on households and small businesses.

Still, important details remain outside Meta’s statement. It did not specify what metrics Texas will use in its “comprehensive review,” whether the review could impose new caps or timelines, or how Meta’s cost-accounting approach is structured in practice with utilities and local governments. It also did not detail any specific Texas projects that could be affected by the review’s findings.

For now, Meta’s message is a announcement that it expects its ongoing development in Texas to proceed alongside state scrutiny rather than around it. What to watch next is whether the governor’s review produces concrete policy changes, and how quickly utilities, local officials, and large operators like Meta align on standards for energy procurement and water management.