Texas data center approvals paused until audits completed: Gov. Abbott
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has directed a pause on all data center project approvals until the Public Utility Commission of Texas and ERCOT complete an audit. Data centers will need to demonstrate self-provision of power, water reuse, and mitigation of local impacts to use the state grid. Those failing to comply will be denied access to the Texas power grid.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has issued a directive to the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC) and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), mandating an audit of all data center projects before any new approvals proceed. The Governor's office announced that data centers failing to comply with specific requirements stemming from this audit will be barred from utilizing the Texas electricity grid.
The directive instructs the PUC and ERCOT to gather information on several key areas. This includes how data centers plan to provide their own power or their reliance on the ERCOT grid, strategies for bringing and reusing their own water to avoid depleting local community water resources, and their proposed methods to reduce impacts on nearby properties.