Emanuel Rivas

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality oversees permits for air emissions, water use, and hazardous materials tied to data centers.

But advocates say the agency is already stretched thin as more than 400 data centers operate across the state.

Former TCEQ employee Catherine Guerra says without more funding and stronger policy, enforcement could lag, leaving communities vulnerable to pollution and water shortages.

The legislator did grant the agency the additional funds it requested, but not the full amount.

For NPR News, I'm Emmanuel Rivas in Dallas.