Texas Matters: Is Elon Musk on the ballot? How Abbott's data center pause failed. Who will certify the elections?
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott ordered regulators to pause permits for new data centers after growing concerns about their electricity, water and environmental impacts. An investigation by FracTracker Alliance and Public Citizen found that permitting activity continued, including construction-related stormwater approvals, despite the directive.
Texas Public Radio examined Gov. Greg Abbott’s September 21 directive ordering state regulators to stop issuing permits for new data centers while the state studied their effects on electricity demand, water supplies and the environment. Research by FracTracker Alliance and Public Citizen found that the pause did not fully halt permitting, with dozens of data-center-related regulatory actions continuing after the announcement, including applications moving through review and stormwater permit approvals.
The program also covered Elon Musk’s political spending in Texas and questions about federal intervention in election certification. Sam Law of FracTracker Alliance discussed the data-center permitting investigation, while election certification expert Lauren Miller-Karalunas addressed safeguards against political interference.