Gov. Greg Abbott directs Texas environmental commission to halt all data center permits, office says - ABC13 Houston

State officials say the audit is meant to make sure data center growth does not compromise the reliability of the Texas electric grid or put the state's natural resources at risk. Abbott had already pushed for penalties against data centers that break water laws before this latest move.

The freeze touches every corner of the state, including any data center projects planned or proposed here in West Texas. Data centers draw massive amounts of electricity and water to keep servers cool, and Texas has seen a wave of new facilities chasing cheap land and power. Because of the statewide halt, any company eyeing Lubbock or the surrounding South Plains for a new facility now waits on Austin before breaking ground.

For regular folks here, this is about keeping the lights on and the water running. If ERCOT's audit finds data centers straining the grid or draining local water supplies, that affects everyone paying a power bill or watering a lawn in West Texas.

No timeline has been set for when the ERCOT audit wraps up. The permit freeze could last weeks, or it could drag on for months.