Data center permits kept moving after Abbott’s directive, watchdogs say
Environmental watchdog groups say the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality advanced or approved at least 16 permits tied to data center projects after Gov. Greg Abbott directed the agency to halt such approvals. Abbott’s office and TCEQ dispute the analysis, saying no data center permits were approved, while the agency says it has paused permit issuance and is screening applications for compliance with the directive.
Environmental watchdog groups Public Citizen and FracTracker say the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality advanced or approved at least 16 water- and air-quality permit applications connected to data center development after Gov. Greg Abbott ordered a pause on data center permits. Eight permits involved stormwater discharges needed for site preparation, according to the groups.
TCEQ spokesperson Ryan Vise and Abbott spokesman Andrew Mahaleris disputed the findings, saying the commission has not issued data center permits and is complying with the governor’s directive. TCEQ nevertheless issued public notices for air-quality applications tied to power plants supplying data centers in Abilene, Grandview and Hubbard, including a Nexus Hubbard Power application seeking authorization for substantial carbon dioxide emissions. TCEQ Interim Executive Director Steven Schar later told Abbott that the agency had paused permits directly supporting data center construction and was screening applications to determine whether they fall under the directive.