Texas Governor Greg Abbott orders emergency statewide audit of all data center projects seeking grid connections, halting all new approvals pending completion of audits.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has ordered an immediate audit of every data center seeking access to the state's electric grid, effectively pausing grid connection approvals until reviews are complete. The governor directed the Public Utility Commission of Texas and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) to verify that projects advancing through ERCOT's interconnection process meet all state requirements, with any failing projects to be denied grid connection.

The directive provides no timeline for completing the reviews. ERCOT is currently processing approximately 474 gigawatts of grid connection requests—more than five times Texas' record peak electricity demand.