After Governor Greg Abbott ordered the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to halt data center permits on September 21, nonprofits Public Citizen and FracTracker Alliance reported that TCEQ continued processing multiple data center-related permit applications. Abbott's office said no new permits have been approved.
The sources don't state an effect on taxes. They do state these figures.
Donations to Abbott from data center developers and owners$9 million12Who pays or receives it: data center developers and owners
Data center under construction in El Paso$14 billion12Who pays or receives it: Meta
Who's involved
Greg AbbottGovernor of Texas
Public Citizennonprofit that analyzed TCEQ records
FracTracker Alliancenonprofit that analyzed TCEQ records
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ)state environmental regulatory agency
Andrew Mahalerisgovernor's press secretary
Kathryn Guerrarepresentative of Public Citizen
Victoria CannTCEQ spokesperson
The facts
Abbott ordered TCEQ to halt data center permits on September 21, 2026.2
Public Citizen identified more than 15 data center permits TCEQ worked on after Abbott's order.12Stated by 2 sources
FracTracker Alliance found 35 data center-related permit applications TCEQ continued processing.123Stated by 3 sources
TCEQ issued air-emission limit certificates to a large Houston data center.12Stated by 2 sources
TCEQ approved stormwater construction coverage for data centers in Abilene, Barstow, and Royse City.123Stated by 3 sources
TCEQ issued public notices for three data center projects since Abbott's pause.3
Texas has 300 data centers in operation, 100 under construction, and 200 more planned.12Stated by 2 sources
Abbott's office said no data center permits have been approved since September 21.3
Who said what
These are statements and claims made by the people involved. They are reported, not verified.
Abbott's office TCEQ has not taken and will not take proactive actions related to data center permit approval.3
Kathryn Guerra, Public Citizen TCEQ's actions show business as usual for data centers despite promised freeze.1
FracTracker These actions do not signal an agency trying to pause.3
TCEQ officials Companies can submit applications but their applications will not advance through the review process.3
Where the sources disagree
Number of data center-related permits TCEQ worked on after Abbott's pause order More than 15 per Public Citizen [1]; 35 per FracTracker Alliance [1, 3]
Whether TCEQ has issued permits for data centers since September 21 No permits approved per Abbott's office [3]; TCEQ continued processing but not issuing permits per TCEQ [3]
How they headlined it
The same event, as each outlet put it. Marked words appear in only one outlet's headline.
'It Ain't Right:' Texas Said It Would Halt Data Center Permits. The State is Pushing Ahead Anyway
These outlets were found through Google News headlines. Google decides which outlets appear there, and they lean mostly one way, so this sheet can only be as balanced as the reporting it was built from. Leanings are AllSides Media Bias Ratings.
Daniel Pullin resigned as Texas Christian University's chancellor, effective immediately on October 22, 2026. His predecessor Victor Boschini Jr. was appointed chancellor effective immediately.
$$10 million for gift to Roach Institute of Athlete Engineering
Daniel Pullin, Resigned TCU chancellor; Victor Boschini Jr., Appointed TCU chancellor; Kit Moncrief, Chair of TCU board of trustees
Tarrant County Judge Tim O'Hare and Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham announced approval of a $10 million grant from the Texas General Land Office to install emergency backup generator power systems at two county facilities.
$$10 million for disaster recovery grant for emergency backup generator power systems
Tim O'Hare, Tarrant County Judge; Dawn Buckingham, Texas Land Commissioner; Tarrant County Commissioners, Approved the funding during October meeting
Texas A&M University-San Antonio opened a new $55 million Public Health and Education Building on Wednesday. The 35,000-square-foot facility houses academic programs and will support medical education and training through partnership with Texas A&M's College of Medicine and University Health.
$$55 million for building construction and development
Texas A&M University-San Antonio, opened the building; Glenn Hegar, Texas A&M University System Chancellor; Salvador Hector Ochoa, TAMUSA President and 3 more
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance with Lululemon USA Inc. regarding concerns about potentially harmful "forever chemicals" in activewear. The settlement requires the company to enforce chemical safety standards across its supply chain through independent lab testing and third-party certifications for three years.
Ken Paxton, Texas Attorney General; Lululemon USA Inc., Activewear company subject to settlement
Texas Comptroller Don Huffines announced an executive order barring businesses that require customers to show COVID-19 vaccination or post-transmission recovery documentation from receiving contracts or grants from the Comptroller's office. The order requires contractors and grantees to certify compliance with Texas Health and Safety Code Section 161.0085.
Don Huffines, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
Texas Comptroller Don Huffines signed four orders he called executive orders. Three weeks prior, he issued the first, targeting virtual marketplace seller fees. He then issued three more orders addressing medical records taxes, Flock camera funding, and state diversity programs. The orders direct comptroller staff to begin changing agency rules.
$Huffines said the virtual marketplace order puts tens of millions of dollars annually back in the pocket of Texas families and small businesses [1,2,3].
Don Huffines, Texas Comptroller; Brandon Rottinghaus, University of Houston political science professor
Attorney General Ken Paxton's office launched a statewide inquiry into data center water consumption. Official notices were sent to 156 data center developments across 32 Texas counties after state officials noted noncompliance with mandatory environmental reporting requirements and failure to complete the Texas Water Development Board's water use survey.
Ken Paxton, Texas Attorney General; Texas Attorney General's Office, Enforcement agency launching inquiry; Texas Water Development Board, Agency whose water use survey was not completed by data centers
Gov. Greg Abbott stated the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission would not vote on a potential sale of Boca Chica State Park to SpaceX anytime soon. Texas Monthly had reported the commission was planning to discuss the 1,300-acre park sale at its Nov. 5 meeting, but the Parks and Wildlife Department later said the property was not on that agenda.
$$26 million for proposed sale price of Boca Chica State Park
Greg Abbott, Governor; Gina Hinojosa, Democratic gubernatorial candidate; Stephanie Garcia, Texas Parks and Wildlife spokesperson and 1 more