Texas halts power grid connections for new data centers over energy, water supply concerns
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has ordered state regulators to halt approvals for new data center projects seeking power grid connections until a comprehensive audit of their energy and water usage is completed. This directive addresses concerns about grid stability and resource strain, as data centers account for a significant portion of new power requests. Democratic nominee Gina Hinojosa called for an emergency moratorium on data center development, criticizing the lack of regulation.
Governor Greg Abbott has issued a directive to the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) Chairman Thomas Gleeson and Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) CEO Pablo Vegas, mandating a halt to approvals for all new data center projects seeking to connect to the state's power grid. This pause will remain in effect until a comprehensive audit and verification process for power and water usage is finalized. Abbott stressed that protecting Texans' safety and quality of life is the top priority, indicating that projects failing to meet state standards or audit requirements will be denied grid access.
This executive order comes amidst an