Environmental watchdog groups reported that the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has continued advancing permits related to data center projects, despite Gov. Greg Abbott's September directive to halt all data center-related permits. TCEQ officials disputed the characterization.
Where
Statewide
When
Oct. 20, 2026
Sources
Reported by 2 outlets
Taxes and money
None stated in sources.
Coming up
Saturday, October 24, 2026. Public comment period closes for Nexus Hubbard power plant air quality permit application.2
Who's involved
Greg AbbottTexas governor
Kathryn GuerraTCEQ Watchdog Campaign director, Public Citizen
Public CitizenAdvocacy group
Andrew MahalerisAbbott's spokesman
Ryan ViseTCEQ spokesperson
Texas Commission on Environmental QualityState environmental regulator
The facts
Gov. Abbott ordered TCEQ in September to halt all permits related to data center projects.12Stated by 2 sources
Abbott directed other state agencies and the grid operator to gather information on data centers' water and power use.1
TCEQ paused issuing permits directly supporting data center construction or infrastructure, per interim director's letter to Abbott.1
Public Citizen identified more than a dozen data center-related plans advancing through TCEQ's permitting process after Abbott's directive.1
At least six stormwater construction permits related to data centers were approved after Abbott's directive, per Public Citizen.1
TCEQ subsequently suspended the stormwater permits identified by Public Citizen, per agency spokesman.1
On Sept. 22, TCEQ issued public notices for air quality permit applications for three power plants supplying data centers.2
Nexus Hubbard power plant permit opened for 30-day public comment period on Sept. 24, ending Oct. 24.2
Who said what
These are statements and claims made by the people involved. They are reported, not verified.
Public Citizen TCEQ's data shows business as usual for data centers despite promised freeze.1
Kathryn Guerra, Public Citizen Stormwater permits authorize grading, clearing and excavating needed for data center site preparation.2
Andrew Mahaleris, Abbott's spokesman No permits have been approved; TCEQ is complying with the governor's directive.2
Ryan Vise, TCEQ spokesperson TCEQ has not issued any permits related to data centers and is complying with Abbott's directive.2
Where the sources disagree
Whether data center permits have been approved or advanced despite Abbott's directive At least 16 permit applications advanced or approved per watchdog groups [2]; no permits approved per Abbott's spokesman and TCEQ [2]
How they headlined it
The same event, as each outlet put it. Marked words appear in only one outlet's headline.
Data center permits kept moving after Abbott’s directive, watchdogs say
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.
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