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Last Update: 09/24/2026 at 4:34 PM EST
Texas Halts Data Center Environmental…Texas Halts Data Center Environmental Permits
Coverage from KERA, Austin Business Journal, and others
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott ordered the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to stop issuing new data center permits until state agencies complete audits of proposed facilities. The reviews will examine electricity and water use, ownership, tax incentives and community effects, extending earlier restrictions on grid connections. The order also reaches projects that generate their own power and may avoid grid-connection review.
First Article: 09/22/26
Latest Article: 09/23/26
Articles6 articles
09-23-2026
The National Law Review / Daniel J. Pope, W. Jared Berg, Matt Paulson, Whit Swift, Bryan L. Clark
On September 21, 2026, Texas Governor Greg Abbott ordered TCEQ to pause final data center-related permits across Texas pending ERCOT's review, expected in mid-December.
09-22-2026
KERA
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott ordered TCEQ to halt permits for new data-center infrastructure statewide until ERCOT and the Texas Water Development Board complete impact audits.
09-22-2026
Foley & Lardner / Kelly Smith
Texas Governor Greg Abbott ordered TCEQ to pause environmental permits for data center projects on September 21, 2026, in Texas.
09-21-2026
Austin Business Journal / Paul Cobler
Gov. Greg Abbott ordered Texas environmental regulators to halt new data center permits statewide on Sept. 21 pending ERCOT and water-board audits of proposed facilities.
09-21-2026
The Texas Tribune / Paul Cobler
Greg Abbott ordered Texas environmental regulators to suspend new data-center permits statewide until ERCOT and the Texas Water Development Board complete project audits.
09-21-2026
KRGV / Paul Cobler
Gov. Greg Abbott ordered Texas environmental regulators to pause new data center permits statewide on Monday pending ERCOT and water board audits of proposed facilities.