UT Launches Industrial Affiliates Program for Sustainable Data Centers

The University of Texas at Austin (Jackson School of Geosciences, Bureau of Economic Geology) has announced the COMPASS Industrial Affiliates Program to research and guide sustainable data center growth in Texas.

• Program launch and scope: COMPASS (Collaborative Optimization & Management of Power Allocation, Surface & Subsurface strategies) is a new research consortium announced at a data center workshop for industry leaders and policy makers in Sept 2025; it will bring industry partners, scientific experts, and communities together to research energy supply, water and land use, subsurface and surface resource impacts, and policy pathways. Membership provides access to forecasting reports, a web-based interactive visualization and mapping database, policy briefs and recommendations, student research and pilot programs, and early access to research findings.
• Background and implementation details: The Bureau of Economic Geology (est. 1909, State Geological Survey of Texas) hosts COMPASS as one of 15 research consortia; the white paper “Data Center Growth in Texas: Energy, Infrastructure, and Policy Pathways” and prior ERCOT-related bureau research inform the program. COMPASS is accepting organizational members; the announced annual membership fee is $50,000 (USD) and members contribute funding, data and questions to guide research. Community engagement and direct outreach to residents near data centers are part of the consortium’s planned activities.