Texas paused data center permits. A watchdog group says some kept moving.
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality told Gov. Greg Abbott in a Monday letter that it has paused permits tied to construction or infrastructure directly supporting data centers. The advocacy group Public Citizen says more than a dozen data center-related plans kept advancing anyway, including at least six stormwater construction permits approved after Abbott's directive. TCEQ spokesman Ryan Vise said Tuesday those stormwater permits had been suspended.
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For the 806
Data centers are landing across West Texas, and they need power and water that neighbors also use. A state pause only helps if it actually stops paperwork, and right now the state and a watchdog group disagree about whether it did. The Tribune does not say what happens to permits already in motion or when the audits finish.
What we know
- TCEQ's interim executive director told Abbott in a Monday letter that it paused permits connected to construction or infrastructure directly supporting data centers.
- Abbott's Sept. 21 directive told TCEQ to halt all permits sought by data centers until ERCOT completes its audit.
- Public Citizen listed more than a dozen data center-related plans it says advanced through TCEQ permitting, including at least six stormwater construction permits approved after the directive.
- TCEQ spokesman Ryan Vise said Tuesday those stormwater permits had been suspended.
- Abbott spokesman Andrew Mahaleris said no permits have been approved and TCEQ will not take proactive action on data center permits.
- Abbott's office says data center projects must cover electrical infrastructure costs and complete the ERCOT and TWDB audits.
What we don't know
- Only one authoritative outlet found so far — no second independent source yet.
- Exact event date not confirmed — publicationDate used as the best-known date.
- It is unknown when the ERCOT and TWDB audits will be finished.
- It is unknown whether the suspended stormwater permits will be reinstated or voided.
- It is unknown how the pause affects projects already under construction, such as the one described in Hill County.
- It is unknown whether residents must file public comments now or later on the Nexus Data Centers air permit.
- It is unknown what any of this means for electricity or water bills for Texas households.
Sources
- ReportingThe Texas Tribune — Greg Abbott ordered a pause on data center permits. Critics say some plans still moved forward. ↗
Reporting by The Texas Tribune.
- PrimaryOffice of the Texas Governor — news post governor abbott directs tceq to halt data center permits ↗
Office of the Texas Governor's own publication. A claim by the source, not independent confirmation.