Texas continued permitting data centers after Abbott's pause, report finds
A FracTracker and Public Citizen analysis found that Texas regulators continued processing numerous data center-related permits after Gov. Greg Abbott ordered a pause on approvals. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality said it paused applications subject to the directive, while Abbott’s office maintained that no permits had been approved.
A review by FracTracker and Public Citizen identified 35 permitting actions by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality after Gov. Greg Abbott’s Sept. 21 directive to halt data center permits. The actions included permit reviews, stormwater approvals, emissions certifications and public notices tied to power facilities and data center projects across the state.
The groups said the activity contradicted Abbott’s stated moratorium and cited projects involving NRG, VoltaGrid, Nexus, Crusoe and EdgeConneX. Abbott press secretary Andrew Mahaleris said the pause applied to permit approvals rather than processing, while TCEQ interim executive director Steven Schar said staff were screening applications and pausing those covered by the directive. Abbott said the pause was intended to assess data centers’ effects on water resources and grid stability.