Governor Greg Abbott has announced a statewide freeze on the approval of new data centers as state agencies evaluate their impact on the power grid. This decision comes as the industry grows rapidly across Texas, including a significant $14 billion Meta campus currently being built in El Paso.
Abbott stated that the pause will remain in effect until the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) and the Public Utilities Commission complete their audits. The review will assess the electricity and water consumption of data centers, their plans for self-supply of power, and measures to mitigate noise and traffic in surrounding areas.
The Democratic gubernatorial nominee, Gina Hinojosa, criticized the governor's pause as insufficient. She has called for an emergency legislative session to address the lack of regulations governing data centers. Hinojosa emphasized the need for community input and expressed concerns over existing agreements that could threaten water resources in El Paso.
The statewide moratorium applies to all proposed data centers across Texas, reflecting broader concerns about the power grid's capacity and the implications for residents beyond just the immediate vicinity of new developments.
