Texas Pauses Permits for Data Center…Texas Pauses Permits for Data Center Projects

On September 21, 2026, Governor Greg Abbott directed the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to pause permits related to data center projects while state agencies review their grid, water, and community impacts. ERCOT is gathering information from developers and verifying eligibility for certain large-load projects, with findings expected in December. The precise reach of the permit pause, including which authorizations and projects are covered and whether applications can continue through review, remains unclear.