#United States #Houston #Data Center #Governor Abbott #Montera Infrastructure

Montera Infrastructure Backs Governor Abbott's Standards for Data Center Growth

Montera Infrastructure, a prominent player in the hyperscale data center industry, has expressed its strong support for Texas Governor Greg Abbott's initiative aimed at fostering responsible data center development in the state. This commitment signifies a proactive stance towards sustainability and community welfare in the ever-evolving tech landscape of Texas.

In a recent communication to Governor Abbott, Montera's Founder and CEO, Eanna Murphy, highlighted the company's dedication to adhering to the newly proposed standards. These include guidelines for transparency regarding critical aspects such as power consumption, water usage, and the socio-economic impacts on local communities. Murphy reassured the governor that Montera would comply with all necessary disclosure requirements throughout the pertinent state review processes, including the annual reporting of consumed electricity and water resources to the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT).

"Texas has a unique opportunity to set the benchmark for responsible data center expansion, establishing itself as a premier technology hub in the nation," said Murphy. "Such growth must reinforce the reliability of our power grid, safeguard the interests of local ratepayers, and win the confidence of the communities in which we operate. Montera is committed to fostering this outcome, ensuring our projects resonate positively with Texans."

Montera's responsible approach to infrastructure development goes beyond mere compliance; it incorporates innovative designs from the ground up. For instance, the company utilizes closed-loop water systems which significantly reduce the demand for local water supplies needed for cooling processes in its data centers. The architectural designs also consider community impacts, featuring noise mitigation and appropriate setback distances to minimize disturbance to neighboring areas. Moreover, Montera undertakes the full financial burden of its interconnection agreements, ensuring that the related costs do not burden local residential utility bills.

These initiatives reflect Montera’s overarching strategy as both an owner and operator, ensuring accountability throughout the lifecycle of its projects. The company emphasizes responsible resource management, sustained community partnerships, and a firm commitment to lifecycle management in establishing hyperscale infrastructures.

Montera also advocates for the PUCT and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) to swiftly navigate the review procedures, thereby distinguishing between committed, development-ready projects and speculative initiatives. "We appreciate the introduction of stringent and transparent standards," said Murphy. "Responsible development calls for certainty for all stakeholders involved, including communities, utilities, customers, and developers. Our commitments concerning power, water, and community welfare are foundational to our projects from the outset."

As the review progresses, Montera welcomes the opportunity to put forth comprehensive submissions and to illustrate what responsible data center development looks like in practice.

Founded and backed by Stonepeak, a preeminent alternative investment firm with around $87 billion in assets, Montera is led by a team of industry veterans who have extensive experience from some of the world's top data center operators, including Google, Oracle, Equinix, and Yondr. Together, they've successfully delivered over 8 GW of data center facilities to the market, setting new industry standards.

For those interested in learning more about Montera Infrastructure and its mission to pioneer the future of digital infrastructure, please visit www.montera.com.