Texas Gov. Greg Abbott Halts Data Center Permits in Defiance of Trump as Public Backlash Grows

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has halted new permits for data centers amid growing public backlash against the projects, as he seeks reelection to a fourth term in November.Abbott, a Republican, directed the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to stop processing data center permits until the state finishes an audit over their impact on the state's power grid. It's the latest in a string of moves in Texas, the most prolific state for data center development, to slow the rapid pace of construction.The move comes in defiance of President Donald Trump, who continues to tout the potential benefits of data centers to local communities. That's despite widespread public opposition to data center development. Americans are worried about how the large developments affect water, electric, and air quality around them.“Simply put, Texans must come first,” Abbott said in a statement. “Data centers must pay their own way, protect our grid and water, and complete the ERCOT and TWDB audits. Until they do, TCEQ will issue no permits sought by data center projects.”Abbott didn't say when permits would resume. Commercial real estate services company JLL estimates Texas is the nation's top market for da...