Gov. Greg Abbott directed Texas regulators to stop approving data center permits until audits determine the industry’s impact on the state’s electric grid and water resources.

Data centers have been a flash point in the 2026 midterm elections, including Abbott's bid for reelection against Democratic state Rep. Gina Hinojosa.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Monday barred the state's environmental agency from issuing new permits for data centers until regulators complete a massive audit of the energy-hungry facilities seeking to ...

Preview this article 1 min The move is the latest in a series of escalating efforts by the governor to slow data center development in Texas ahead of November’s election. Austin-San Antonio Growth ...

Monday's order marks a further shift in tone for Abbott, who last year called Texas "the epicenter of AI development" while touting Google's $40 billion investment in the state.

The governor said he is focused on ensuring data centers do not harm the state’s electric grid.

A new state directive halting data center permits comes as San Antonio debates local regulations and developers continue advancing projects across the region.

Gov. Greg Abbott on Monday issued another directive on data center expansion, directing the Texas Commission on Environmental ...

HOUSTON, Sept ⁠21 (Reuters) - ⁠Texas ⁠Governor Greg Abbott ​said on Monday ‌he had ‌halted ⁠all ⁠state-issued permits for data centers ​until an Electric Reliability ​Council of Texas ⁠grid audit ⁠is ...

Texas is pausing data center permits while state agencies study how the facilities could affect the power grid and local water supplies.

Abbott’s latest action comes as data centers have become a politically charged issue ahead of November’s election.

Emerald Pages ◆ Politics How AI Data Centers Are Unifying America Emerald Book Publication September 21, 2026 9 min read In a nation fractured by political tribalism, a surprising new force is ...