Abbott Halts Texas Data Center Permits

Gov. Greg Abbott on Sept. 21, 2026 ordered the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to halt all data center permits until ERCOT, the Public Utility Commission of Texas and the Texas Water Development Board complete audits. TCEQ must report on permitting decisions by Oct. 19. The order expands an earlier moratorium focused mainly on large ERCOT grid connections. Abbott said, "Simply put, Texans must come first," adding that data centers "must pay their own way, protect our grid and water, and complete the ERCOT and [water board] audits." He said developers must pay their own electrical infrastructure costs, not raise residential bills, and not compromise grid reliability or put natural resources at risk. On Sept. 14 he directed the Texas Water Development Board on water-use reporting and legal consequences for noncompliance, and he said he will work with the Legislature to eliminate financial incentives for data centers. CONTESTED: No material factual disputes appear across rated coverage on the order itself. Left-rated outlets foreground the November 2026 re-election race, community opposition. Right-rated outlets present the halt as an audit-period order. Audits are ongoing; TCEQ's update is due Oct. 19.