The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality will stop issuing state-level authorizations for data center construction per a directive from Governor Greg Abbott. The order suspends all new permit applications statewide and remains in effect until a formal audit of risks to the electrical grid is finished.

The permit halt follows a moratorium on data center development issued by the governor several weeks earlier. The directive did not provide a specific deadline for the conclusion of the grid risk audit or a date for the resumption of permit approvals.