Texas has ceased approving new data centers while state agencies conduct an audit of the power grid. Governor Greg Abbott announced this decision as the industry continues to grow, with a significant $14 billion Meta campus currently being built in El Paso.
Abbott stated that no new data center approvals will occur until the audit results from both the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) and the Public Utilities Commission are available. The review will assess the electricity and water consumption of data centers, their plans for power supply, and their potential impacts on local communities.
Democratic gubernatorial nominee Gina Hinojosa has called for more than just a pause, advocating for an emergency legislative session to address the lack of regulations surrounding data centers. She expressed concerns about existing agreements and their implications for water resources in El Paso.
