News Round-Up: August 2026

The Texas Tribune: Sid Miller says Republicans will lose statewide elections due to rapid data center development, backlash
Aug. 6 — The Texas agriculture commissioner has openly criticized Gov. Greg Abbott for not taking a stronger stand against data center development. The governor has ignored him.
https://www.texastribune.org/2026/08/06/sid-miller-republicans-elections-data-centers-abbott/

Utility Dive: Texas data center pause puts 20% of US pipeline at risk of delay
Aug. 6 — Data center revenue losses could reach $8 billion by the first quarter of 2027 assuming 60% of the delayed capacity is AI-related, BNEF said. Should the pause extend into the 2027 Texas legislative session, the risk increases as lawmakers could consider changes to the new interconnection process.
https://www.utilitydive.com/news/texas-data-center-pause-puts-us-pipeline-risk-of-delay-bnef/827185/

Power Magazine: LS Power Acquiring 606-MW Texas Gas-Fired Plant From Constellation
Aug. 6 — A New York-headquartered group that pursues investments in North American power and energy infrastructure said it has a deal to acquire a natural gas-fired power plant near Houston, Texas.
https://www.powermag.com/ls-power-acquiring-606-mw-texas-gas-fired-plant-from-constellation/

Daily Energy Insider: CenterPoint reaches 500-mile mark in powerline hardening across Greater Houston
Aug. 6 — Since launching GHRI in August 2024, CenterPoint has completed a series of resiliency actions and grid improvements across the Greater Houston area, including the installation of more than 75,000 stronger poles, 750+ automation devices, and undergrounding 850+ miles of powerlines, which put the company on track to deliver more than 150 million customer outage minutes avoided by the end of 2026.
https://dailyenergyinsider.com/news/53310-centerpoint-reaches-500-mile-mark-in-powerline-hardening-across-greater-houston/?amp

KPRC: Thousands of CenterPoint Energy customers experience power outages in west Houston, Katy area
Aug. 5 — All of the hardest-hit ZIP codes are in and around the Katy area. The number of outages continued to decline Wednesday morning.
https://www.click2houston.com/news/local/2026/08/05/thousands-of-centerpoint-energy-customers-experience-power-outages-in-west-houston-katy-area/

Foley & Lardner: Governor Abbott Pauses Texas Data Center Interconnections And Calls For Verification and Audit; What Data Center Developers Need to Know Now
Aug. 5 — The Governor’s directive is a response to unprecedented load growth—with data centers representing approximately 90 percent of the 474 gigawatts of new power requests—and aims to protect grid reliability, water resources, and community interests. Projects that fail to comply with the audit’s transparency requirements or state law will be denied connection to the primary Texas grid.
https://www.foley.com/insights/publications/2026/08/governor-abbott-pauses-texas-data-center-interconnections-and-calls-for-verification-and-audit-what-data-center-developers-need-to-know-now/

Texas Scorecard: Public Utility Commissioners Schedule Meetings on 765-kV Lines After Lawmakers Demand Project Pause
Aug. 5 — Over the next three months, the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) has scheduled meetings to discuss four segments of the proposed 765‑kV lines. These segments make up the northern and middle Strategic Transmission Expansion Plan (STEP) Permian lines. The commission has placed those segments on agendas for August 28, September 25, and October 2. PUCT Chairman Thomas Gleeson says regulators will hear oral arguments from landowners.
https://texasscorecard.com/state/public-utility-commissioners-schedule-meetings-on-765-kv-lines-after-lawmakers-demand-project-pause/

Utility Dive: Facing an estimated 474 GW of interconnection requests, Texas hits pause on data centers
Aug. 5 — Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has called for an audit of all data centers in the Electric Reliability Council of Texas interconnection queue, leading the grid operator to delay its Batch Zero review process.
https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#inbox/FMfcgzQhVhhRsMtkGdmCtWxPkcSJGxWT

Argus Media: Texas halts data center approvals: Update
Aug. 5 — Under the order made Monday, regulators must collect information on power consumption, water use, on-site generation plans, tax incentives, ownership structures and potential impacts on local communities. Projects that fail to comply with the review must be denied connection to the Texas grid.
https://www.argusmedia.com/en/news-and-insights/latest-market-news/2861149-texas-halts-data-center-approvals-update

KUT News: Data centers use lots of water and power, but Texas officials don’t know exactly how much
Aug. 5 — Data centers need a lot of power to operate, and, depending on how they’re cooled, a lot of water too. As more and more data center developers submit proposals to build in Texas, questions about how they’ll impact Texas’ grid and contribute to drought conditions across the state are widespread.
https://www.kut.org/energy-environment/2026-08-05/texas-data-centers-water-power-energy-use-environment

XCEL Energy: (Press Release) Xcel Energy outlines plan to reduce wildfire risk and enhance public safety across the Texas Panhandle and South Plains
Aug. 4 — The Wildfire Mitigation Plan (WMP) provides a framework for assessing wildfire risk and prioritizing mitigation activities and builds on Xcel Energy’s existing safety, reliability and resiliency protocols as conditions, technology and industry practices evolve.
https://newsroom.xcelenergy.com/news/xcel-energy-outlines-plan-to-reduce-wildfire-risk-and-enhance-public-safety-across-the-texas-panhandle-and-south-plains

Reason: Greg Abbott Once Called Texas the ‘Epicenter’ of AI. Now He’s Freezing Data Center Construction.
Aug. 4 — Still, the order is surprising considering that a year ago Abbott touted Texas as the “‘epicenter’ of artificial intelligence development as he courted megaprojects,” per E&E News. It’s also unnecessary, given that ERCOT was already taking steps to address the problem.
https://reason.com/2026/08/04/greg-abbott-once-called-texas-the-epicenter-of-ai-now-hes-freezing-data-center-construction/

Power Magazine: Abbott Orders Full Audit of Texas Data Center Interconnection Queue, Threatens to Deny Grid Access
Aug. 4 — The directive, issued in an Aug. 3 letter to PUCT Chairman Thomas Gleeson and ERCOT President and CEO Pablo Vegas, arrives as the ERCOT large-load interconnection queue has surged to 474 GW—of which approximately 90% is data centers, according to testimony ERCOT delivered on July 29 to the Texas Senate.
https://www.powermag.com/abbott-orders-full-audit-of-texas-data-center-interconnection-queue-threatens-to-deny-grid-access/

E&E News: Texas data center approval halt scrambles grid plans
Aug. 4 — Gov. Greg Abbott told state regulators and Texas’ main power grid operator to stop approving connections for data centers until an audit is done.
https://www.eenews.net/articles/texas-data-center-approval-halt-scrambles-grid-plans/

The Hill: Abbott requires new data centers to provide more information before they can hook up to Texas’s grid
Aug. 4 — Abbott told the state’s public utility commission (PUC) and its grid operator, which is known as ERCOT, to audit all data centers’ electricity and water use before they can connect.
https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/6008183-abbott-data-centers-power-texas-grid/

Reuters: Texas governor orders pause on new data center approvals pending audit
Aug. 4 — The state is poised to become one of the world’s largest data-center hubs, with industry forecasts suggesting it could surpass Virginia by 2030 thanks to abundant land, energy supplies and a business-friendly environment.
https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/texas-governor-orders-pause-new-data-center-approvals-pending-audit-2026-08-04/

Houston Public Media: Gov. Greg Abbott pauses new data centers until ERCOT, PUCT audit energy, water usage
Aug. 3 — New data centers won’t be able to join the Texas power grid until state regulators complete a review of their energy and water usage, under a new directive from the governor.
https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/energy-environment/2026/08/03/558529/gov-greg-abbott-pauses-new-data-centers-until-ercot-puct-audit-energy-water-usage/

Gov,. Greg Abbott: Governor Abbott Directs Comprehensive Data Center Audit
Aug. 3 — Governor Greg Abbott today directed the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) to conduct a comprehensive verification and audit of all data centers advancing through ERCOT’s interconnection process. The PUCT and ERCOT must complete this audit before any data center project moves forward. Any project that fails to comply with the requirements set forth by the PUCT and ERCOT will be denied connection to the Texas grid.
https://gov.texas.gov/news/post/governor-abbott-directs-comprehensive-data-center-audit

U.S. EIA: Hourly peak load in ERCOT set a new record, exceeding 91 GW on July 22
Aug. 3 — Hourly peak load in the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), the regional transmission organization serving most of Texas, reached a record 91.1 gigawatts (GW) on July 22, 2026, according to data reported to us for our Hourly Electric Grid Monitor.
https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=67906

Data center approvals in Texas halted until audits completed, Gov. Greg Abbott says
Aug. 3 — On Monday, the governor ordered the Public Utility Commission of Texas and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas to audit all data centers wanting to connect to the state’s power grid.
https://www.texastribune.org/2026/08/03/texas-data-center-project-audit-greg-abbott/

KPRC: Gov. Abbott orders audit of data center projects before they can connect to Texas power grid
Aug. 3 — Gov. Greg Abbott is directing state regulators to conduct a comprehensive audit of data center projects seeking to connect to the Texas power grid, saying the review is necessary to protect the state’s electric reliability as demand continues to surge.
https://www.click2houston.com/news/local/2026/08/03/gov-abbott-orders-audit-of-data-center-projects-before-they-can-connect-to-texas-power-grid/

E&E News: Texas governor puts data center grid approvals on hold
Aug 3 — New data centers in Texas have been put on hold in a striking reversal by Republican Gov. Greg Abbott, who is up for reelection in November.
https://www.eenews.net/articles/texas-governor-puts-data-center-grid-approvals-on-hold/

WFAA: Gov. Abbott orders audit of Texas data center projects amid growing backlash
Aug. 3 — State regulators must now audit all new data center projects before they touch the Texas grid—and any facility that fails will be denied power.
https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/texas/gov-abbott-orders-audit-of-texas-data-center-projects-amid-growing-backlash/287-1b34f9ea-18a5-4ac6-97f1-49360f169359

E&E News: Texas regulators urged to halt $33B transmission plan
Aug. 3 — Powerful Texas Republicans are asking state regulators to pause a $33 billion transmission build-out — a move that could slow efforts to bring a slew of data centers online.
https://www.eenews.net/articles/texas-regulators-urged-to-halt-33b-transmission-plan/

KTRK: Data center approvals in Texas halted until audits completed, Gov. Greg Abbott says
Aug. 3 — Amid growing public backlash to the rapid buildout of data centers across Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott on Monday announced a moratorium on the approval of data centers until regulatory agencies can audit proposed data centers seeking connection to the state’s electric grid.
https://abc13.com/post/data-center-approvals-texas-halted-audits-completed-gov-greg-abbott-says/19620316/

Texas Tribune: Data center approvals in Texas halted until audits completed, Gov. Greg Abbott says
Aug. 3 — On Monday, the governor ordered the Public Utility Commission of Texas and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas to audit all data centers wanting to connect to the state’s power grid.
https://www.texastribune.org/2026/08/03/texas-data-center-project-audit-greg-abbott/

KPRC: Lakewood Pines residents blame CenterPoint for damaged appliances, power problems
Aug. 2 — Residents in Atascocita’s Lakewood Pines community say CenterPoint Energy’s electrical issues have fried their appliances and cost them thousands. Now they want answers — and their money back.
https://www.click2houston.com/news/local/2026/08/04/lakewood-pines-residents-blame-centerpoint-for-damaged-appliances-power-problems/

San Antonio Report: Data centers are cropping up all over Bexar County with 23 more on the way
Aug. 2 — Omicron Drive runs for roughly two miles at the western edge of Bexar County, before it enters neighboring Medina County and ends at County Road 381. It’s not a major thoroughfare, like Potranco Road, several hundred feet to the north. It doesn’t link major highways, like Texas Research Parkway to the west.
https://sanantonioreport.org/data-centers-development-growing-san-antonio-bexar-county/

Texas Energy And Power Newsletter: More Authority for Data Centers?
Aug. 2 — The Public Utility Commission and ERCOT are asking lawmakers for more authority to regulate data centers, following the governor’s directive.
https://www.texasenergyandpower.com/p/more-authority-for-data-centers-reading

Brownwood News: (Commentary ) Power Vs. Property —Texas Landowners Fight Transmission Lines And Eminent Domain
Aug. 2 — Private property is the backbone of America. As Americans, we each have something that we call our own. It could be a phone, car, or house, but we all have something that is ours and that we take ownership of. We feel protective when someone tries to intervene in how we use our property. This is mine, and I should determine what to do with it.
https://www.brownwoodnews.com/2026/08/02/power-vs-property-texas-landowners-fight-transmission-lines-and-eminent-domain/

Texas Energy & Power Newsletter: More Authority for Data Centers?
Aug. 2 — The Public Utility Commission and ERCOT are asking lawmakers for more authority to regulate data centers, following the governor’s directive.
https://www.texasenergyandpower.com/p/more-authority-for-data-centers-reading

KTRK: Texas lawmakers want to halt plan to build high-voltage transmission lines across the state
Aug. 1 — A growing chorus of Texas lawmakers is calling on the state’s electric grid managers and utility regulators to halt an expansive and increasingly controversial project to build transmission lines that would cut through several thousand acres of private property to deliver electricity to oil companies in the West Texas oil fields.
https://abc13.com/post/texas-lawmakers-want-halt-plan-build-high-voltage-transmission-lines-state/19612035/

Texas Public Radio: Big new power lines could prevent blackouts in Texas. Dan Patrick wants to block them
Aug. 1 — Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick and Senate Business and Commerce Committee Chair Charles Schwertner have called on regulators to deny transmission companies the permits they need to move forward with plans to build three ultra-high-voltage transmission lines across Texas.
https://www.tpr.org/environment/2026-08-01/big-new-power-lines-could-prevent-blackouts-in-texas-dan-patrick-wants-to-block-them

DataCenter.Com:: Texas Fund Tackles AI Data Centre Power Deposit Hurdle
Aug. 1 — A new $95 million fund has closed in Texas to finance security deposits required by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) for large-load power interconnection. This initiative addresses a critical bottleneck for landowners and data centre developers in the state’s AI infrastructure build-out. The fund supports approximately 1.7 gigawatts of requested power capacity.
https://datacenters.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/policy-land-power/texas-fund-tackles-ai-data-centre-power-deposit-hurdle/132779283

Texas Scorecard: (Commentary) Wayne Christian — The 765-kV Debate Is the Price of Losing Our Way
Aug. 1 — These transmission lines aren’t a free-market solution. They’re a government correction for a government-created distortion.
https://texasscorecard.com/opinion/christian-the-765-kv-debate-is-the-price-of-losing-our-way/

Texas Scorecard: Local Officials Warn New Transmission Line Will Be a ‘Freeway’ for Mexican Cartel
July 31 — At a Thursday meeting, local officials told utility representatives that the proposed Howard to Solstice 765-kilovolt transmission line could worsen cartel smuggling, threaten fragile aquifers, and devalue multi-generational ranching operations.
https://texasscorecard.com/state/local-officials-warn-new-transmission-line-will-be-a-freeway-for-mexican-cartel/

Community Impact: Texas lawmakers question if ERCOT’s data center rules will deter new industrial growth
July 31 — This summer, Texas is launching a new process to study the viability of data centers and other large projects seeking to connect to the state’s power grid. The process’ strict requirements, which were largely designed around data centers, could deter major industrial projects from coming to the state, experts warn.
https://communityimpact.com/central-austin/texas-legislature/texas-lawmakers-question-if-ercots-data-center-rules-will-deter-new-industrial-growth/

KXAN: After hearing hours of testimony, Texas leaders want controversial power line applications denied
July 31 — Following a grueling 15-hour hearing at the Texas Capitol on Wednesday, state senators and Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick are calling for the Public Utility Commission of Texas to deny current 765-kilovolt transmission line applications.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/politics/articles/hearing-hours-testimony-texas-leaders-165434114.html

Texas Tribune: Texas lawmakers want to halt plan to build high-voltage transmission lines across the state
July 31 — Amid a backlash, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and a chorus of state senators said the the state’s plan for building new high-voltage transmission lines needs to be changed as the oil and gas industry faces an electricity shortage.
https://www.texastribune.org/2026/07/31/texas-transmission-lines-dan-patrick/

KTEN: Texas lawmakers under fire for advancing transmission line plan using eminent domain
July 31 — After voting for a bill to build transmission lines across Texas using eminent domain to take Texans’ land, state lawmakers felt the rage of property owners during a 15-hour hearing on Wednesday. By Friday, senators were calling for a halt to the process.
https://www.kten.com/news/state/texas-lawmakers-under-fire-for-advancing-transmission-line-plan-using-eminent-domain/article_73b86d93-5adc-5b65-811a-3de68ecd2a17.html

KHOU11: Report says Texans pay some of nation’s highest electricity bills
July 31 — A new report claims Texans pay hundreds of dollars more a year than regulated states. KHOU 11 energy expert Ed Hirs explains what’s behind the ERCOT overcharges.
https://www.khou.com/video/news/local/texas/report-says-texans-pay-some-of-nations-highest-electricity-bills/285-642df967-8699-4b01-bbeb-1721c7d9b983

KTRK: Despite intense heat, some Spring Branch neighbors say they had no AC due to CenterPoint upgrades
July 31 — With temperatures near triple digits, some Spring Branch neighbors were shocked to learn their AC was cut off for hours during a scheduled upgrade.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/videos/despite-intense-heat-spring-branch-013630836.html

KTAB: Texas lawmakers debate whether grid needs more gas generation as demand surges
July 30 — Last week was a test for Texas energy and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) grid. It passed with flying colors.
https://www.bigcountryhomepage.com/news/texas-politics/texas-lawmakers-debate-whether-grid-needs-more-gas-generation-as-demand-surges/amp/

Data Center Dynamics: CenterPoint Energy raises investment plan by $1.2bn as data center load pipeline grows
July 31 — Texas utility CenterPoint Energy has submitted more than 17GW of large-load projects through the Electric Reliability Council of Texas’s (ERCOT) Batch Zero process, with approximately 14GW expected to be eligible as base load or studied load.=
https://www.datacenterdynamics.com/en/news/centerpoint-energy-raises-investment-plan-by-12bn-as-data-center-load-pipeline-grows/

San Antonio Current: U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico rejects data center moratorium, calls for stronger regulations
July 31 — State Rep. James Talarico, the Democrat running for the Texas’ contested U.S. Senate set, told reporters in San Antonio that he opposes a complete moratorium on new data center construction in Texas and instead wants common-sense regulations for the industry.
https://www.sacurrent.com/news/politics-and-elections/u-s-senate-candidate-james-talarico-rejects-data-center-moratorium-calls-for-stronger-regulations/

The Texan: Texas Power Transmission Lines Project Under Fire at Senate Committee Hearing
July 30 — The Texas Senate Committee on Business and Commerce met for a nearly 16-hour hearing on July 29 to discuss the state of the Texas grid and the potential implementation of new 765-kilovolt (kV) transmission lines.
https://thetexan.news/issues/energy/texas-power-transmission-lines-project-under-fire-at-senate-committee-hearing/article_7ad05864-5268-4599-8427-de39b10ea961.html

CBS News: Texas power grid faces rising demand as AI data centers fuel energy debate
July 30 — As the summer continues to heat up, so are the discussions about the Texas power grid and the impact of data centers. Just last week, the grid set a new all-time demand record: more than 91,000 megawatts.
https://www.cbsnews.com/texas/news/texas-power-grid-faces-rising-demand-as-ai-data-centers-fuel-energy-debate/

KTRK: Texas power leaders warn more demand is coming and experts say that could mean higher power bills
July 30 — State energy officials told lawmakers power demand could double in six years, and local experts believe that could mean higher consumer power bills.
https://abc13.com/post/texas-power-leaders-warn-more-demand-is-coming-experts-said-could-mean-higher-bills/19603587/

Utility Dive: Texas approves AI data center co-location next to wind farm, with curtailment caveats
July 30 — A final order in the case could offer a template for other large behind-the-meter loads, requiring rapid curtailment during grid emergencies while limiting participation in demand response programs.
https://www.utilitydive.com/news/texas-approves-ai-data-center-co-location-next-to-wind-farm-with-curtailme/826617/

KUT News: Big new power lines could prevent blackouts in Texas. Dan Patrick wants to block the
July 30 — Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick and Senate Business and Commerce Committee Chair Charles Schwertner have called on regulators to deny transmission companies the permits they need to move forward with plans to build three ultra-high-voltage transmission lines across Texas.
https://www.kut.org/energy-environment/2026-07-30/texas-power-lines-blackouts-landowner-opposition-is-fierce

KVVX: Bell, Burnet County residents testify against transmission line project
July 30 —  Bell and Burnet County residents joined other Texans at the Capitol to testify against the Bell County to Big Eats Hill 765kV transmission line project. State leaders were getting an update on the Texas electric grid and whether transmission lines are the solution.
https://www.kxxv.com/news/local-news/in-your-neighborhood/bell-county/bell-burnet-county-residents-testify-against-transmission-line-project

Spectrum News: Meta opens AI-optimized data center in Temple
July 30 — Hundreds of data centers are already operating in Texas with hundreds more proposed projects on the way. Meta has three data centers across the state: one in Fort Worth that broke ground more than 10 years ago, one in El Paso that broke ground last fall and is still under construction and one in Temple that is now operational.
https://spectrumlocalnews.com/tx/south-texas-el-paso/news/2026/07/30/temple-data-center

Holland & Knight: Texas Data Center Tax Exemption Faces Serious Legislative Risk Ahead of 2027 Session
July 30 —The Texas Senate Finance Committee on July 27, 2026, held a hearing on the fiscal impact of the state’s data center sales and use tax exemption. The hearing made clear that the exemption, including its application to existing projects, will be a major target in the 2027 legislative session.
https://www.hklaw.com/en/insights/publications/2026/07/texas-data-center-tax-exemption-faces-serious-legislative-risk

Utility Dive: Texas approves AI data center co-location next to wind farm, with curtailment caveats
July 30 — A final order in the case could offer a template for other large behind-the-meter loads, requiring rapid curtailment during grid emergencies while limiting participation in demand response programs.
https://www.utilitydive.com/news/texas-approves-ai-data-center-co-location-next-to-wind-farm-with-curtailme/826617/

Utility Dive: Under pressure, Entergy looks to mitigate cost of $1.8B Texas gas plant purchas
July 30 — Under pressure, Entergy looks to mitigate cost of $1.8B Texas gas plant purchase
“We know that Cottonwood isn’t the shiniest new plant out there,” Entergy CEO Drew Marsh told analysts. The deal is “increasingly in doubt,” one says.
https://www.utilitydive.com/news/entergy-cottonwood-texas-gas-plant-meta/826565/

My High Plains: Texas lawmakers debate whether grid needs more gas generation as demand surges
July 29 — Last week was a test for Texas energy and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) grid. It passed with flying colors.
https://www.myhighplains.com/news/texas-lawmakers-debate-whether-grid-needs-more-gas-generation-as-demand-surges/

Texas Tribune: ERCOT: Texas’ power grid meeting record demand now, but could falter when it doubles by 2032
July 29 — Solar and battery power generations have helped bolster ERCOT’s grid, but data center, population and economic growth is slated to surge demand.
https://www.texastribune.org/2026/07/29/texas-ercot-power-grid-record-data-center/

Fox 7: Willie Nelson slams ‘water thieving’ data centers in Texas
July 29  — Texas country music legend Willie Nelson has taken to social media to voice his distaste for an AI data center being built near his hometown.
https://www.fox7austin.com/news/willie-nelson-slams-water-thieving-data-centers-texas

Texas Tribune: “A deal with the devil”: Religion motivates data center opponents in Texas
July 29 — Some see the AI facilities as a sign of the apocalypse, others see an opportunity to advocate for environmental stewardship.
https://www.texastribune.org/2026/07/29/texas-data-centers-religion-opposition/

Texas Standard: Data centers are being built across Texas every day. Here’s what goes on inside one in Austin
July 29 — KUT News requested tours of several data centers in Hays, Travis and Williamson counties. Most companies either declined or did not respond. But the Texas Advanced Computing Center let us peek behind the curtain.
https://texasstandard.org/stories/austin-tx-data-centers-texas/

KTSM: City requests statewide data center ratepayer protections
July 29 — The City of El Paso has submitted formal comments to the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) requesting that ratepayer protections be applied statewide, including to communities served by utilities outside the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) electrical grid.
https://www.ktsm.com/news/city-requests-statewide-data-center-ratepayer-protections/amp/

CBS Austin: TX Senate committee holds hearing to discuss data center demand on ERCOT grid, actions
July 29 — Texas lawmakers are again weighing how to manage the growing power demand from data centers and other large electricity users as questions mount about the long-term reliability and cost to the ERCOT grid.
https://cbsaustin.com/news/local/tx-senate-committee-holds-hearing-to-discuss-data-center-demand-on-ercot-grid-actions

Texas Tribune: Energy agencies want more authority over Texas data centers
July 29 — The request comes after Gov. Greg Abbott directed the Public Utility Commission of Texas and Electric Reliability Council of Texas to further regulate data centers’ use of the power grid.
https://www.texastribune.org/2026/07/29/texas-ercot-puct-power-grid-data-centers/

Texas Scorecard: Pro-Transmission Coalition Allies With Left-Wing Association To Push Controversial 765-kV Lines
July 29 — On Tuesday, TRII announced the Texas Association of Mexican American Chambers of Commerce (TAMACC) had joined them in promoting the lines.  TAMACC has a history of opposing efforts to stem illegal border crossings.
https://texasscorecard.com/state/pro-transmission-coalition-allies-with-left-wing-association-to-push-controversial-765-kv-lines/

Texas Energy and Power Newsletter: Ten gigawatts are parked in American driveways
July 29 — Joseph Vellone talks about the barrier to using parked EVs as grid capacity as a flaw in incentives, rather than hardware, and why the barrier is tougher in Texas.
https://www.texasenergyandpower.com/p/ten-gigawatts-are-parked-in-american

Natural Gas Intelligence: Wind Gaining Upper Hand in ERCOT Amid Near-Record Load
July 28 — Power demand in the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) region is approaching record levels again this week amid scorching heat, though rising wind generation is displacing natural gas so far.
https://www.naturalgasintel.com/news/wind-gaining-upper-hand-in-ercot-amid-near-record-load/

Texas Cool Down: Texas grid sets new all-time demand record in triple-digit heat, as data center needs loom
July 28— Texas reached a new electricity-use milestone during a stretch of triple-digit heat, with widespread air-conditioning demand driving consumption sharply upward.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/weather-news/articles/texas-grid-sets-time-demand-125700529.html

The Texan: Gov. Abbott, Challenger Hinojosa Spotlight Data Centers in Gubernatorial Campaigns
July 28 – The bipartisan issue has come forward as a point of contention in the governor’s race.
https://thetexan.news/elections/2026/gov-abbott-challenger-hinojosa-spotlight-data-centers-in-gubernatorial-campaigns/article_64c51f5d-db12-41e9-92ff-29643cbd3e93.html

CenterPoint: CenterPoint says 14 GW likely eligible for Texas’ ‘Batch Zero’ large-load interconnection
July 28 — The utility expects 50% load growth by the end of 2029, largely driven by data centers navigating Texas’ new large-load interconnection process, company officials said Tuesday.
https://www.utilitydive.com/news/centerpoint-energy-14-gw-texas-batch-zero-large-load-earnings/826329/

Utility Dive: CenterPoint says 14 GW likely eligible for Texas’ ‘Batch Zero’ large-load interconnection
July 28 — The utility expects 50% load growth by the end of 2029, largely driven by data centers navigating Texas’ new large-load interconnection process, company officials said Tuesday.
https://www.utilitydive.com/news/centerpoint-energy-14-gw-texas-batch-zero-large-load-earnings/826329/

The Texan: Texas Senate Mulls End to 13-Year-Old Tax Break for Data Centers
July 28 — The data center development industry found aggressive critics in both Republicans and Democrats at a hearing of the Senate Finance Committee.
https://thetexan.news/issues/texas-taxes-spending/texas-senate-mulls-end-to-13-year-old-tax-break-for-data-centers/article_aace41a9-0f3d-4975-a3c7-ec1fcbad0287.html

Texas Scorecard: Local Officials Question Oncor on Controversial 765-kV Line’s Impacts on Water
July 28 — As Texas struggles to increase water supply, questions arise about Oncor’s due diligence on the intersection of proposed transmission lines and water.
https://texasscorecard.com/state/local-officials-question-oncor-on-controversial-765-kv-lines-impacts-on-water/

Houston Public Media; Texas energy agencies respond to governor’s data center directive by requesting more authority from lawmakers
July 28 — ERCOT and the PUCT said they’ve already taken steps to regulate large energy consumers and called for the state legislature to expand their authority.
https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/energy-environment/2026/07/28/558124/data-centers-texas-ercot-puc-authority-governor-abbott/ 

My San Antonio: Can a Texas HOA ban a nearby data center? What the law says
July 27 — Data centers are popping up everywhere in Texas — so many that one report claims the Lone Star State is on track to become the global industry leader by 2030.
https://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local/article/can-hoas-ban-data-centers-in-texas-22355480.php

Fort Worth Report: Data centers require substantial water, energy. Sustainable practices, technology can lessen impact
July 27 — As interest in data centers continues to crop up in North Texas, so does concern among residents who are trying to understand just how much water and energy the data processing facilities use.
https://fortworthreport.org/2026/07/27/data-centers-require-substantial-water-energy-sustainable-practices-technology-can-lessen-impact/

Public Citizen: Public Citizen Comments to the Texas Senate Committee on Finance Opposing Tax Breaks for Data Centers
July 27 — Texas is already home to at least 334 data centers, with at least another 248 planned.4 More than 160 data centers take advantage of the state sales and use tax exemption.5 The exemption is applied to certain equipment purchased to build and operate a data center, as well as the energy used in the data center. Long term, for an individual facility, the energy tax break may prove to cost more, as data centers have a continuous demand for lots of energy.
https://www.citizen.org/article/public-citizen-comments-to-the-texas-senate-committee-on-finance-opposing-tax-breaks-for-data-centers/

NBC DFW: Groups against data centers ramp up pushback measures in Texas
July 27 — A coalition of more than a dozen groups will take steps to get Governor Greg Abbott, lawmakers’ attention for the next five days.
https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/week-of-action-groups-against-data-centers-pushback-texas/4054349/

Sierra Club: Texas Governor demands action on data centers – but what does that really mean?
July 27 — Texans from El Paso to San Marcos, Amarillo to the Dallas-Fort Worth area – and really, all across the state – have been flooding local meetings, social media, Capitol hearings, and every other available forum, demanding stronger restrictions and safeguards on the hundreds of proposed data centers coming to Texas. Many are even calling for moratoriums.
https://www.sierraclub.org/texas/blog/2026/07/texas-governor-demands-action-data-centers-what-does-really-mean

Data Center Knowledge: Texas Pushes AI Data Centers to Pay Their Own Grid Costs
July 27 — PUCT outlines new interconnection rules, cost reforms and planning changes following Gov. Abbott’s order to protect ratepayers and the ERCOT grid.
https://www.datacenterknowledge.com/regulations/texas-pushes-ai-data-centers-to-pay-their-own-grid-costs

KHOU: Can ERCOT handle this Texas heat? Why Houston isn’t affected by the federal order
July 27 — A federal emergency order is raising questions about power reliability during the heat wave—but it doesn’t apply to Houston.
https://www.khou.com/video/news/local/ercot-texas-heat-power-grid-federal-emergency-order/285-f9dd121a-caac-4fbb-bf68-3b40e3f9fbf1

Texas Tribune: Texas’ multibillion-dollar sales tax exemption for data centers is growing, while audits lag
July 27 — Out of 138 data centers that qualified for the tax break, only 20 have been audited so far. Six facilities were found to be out of compliance.
https://www.texastribune.org/2026/07/27/texas-data-centers-sales-tax-break-audits/

NBC DFW: Texas data center tax breaks balloon to $3.3 billion
July 27 — Senators questioned whether the state is adequately monitoring 138 facilities receiving sales tax exemptions.
https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/politics/lone-star-politics/texas-data-center-tax-breaks-balloon-to-3-3-billion/4054751/

KXAN: Texas lawmakers scrutinize $3.3 billion cost of data center tax incentives
July 27 — Texas lawmakers are taking a closer look at a pair of tax incentives for data centers that lawmakers say could cost the state $3.3 billion in forgone taxes during the 2028-29 budget cycle, raising questions about whether taxpayers are getting enough in return as artificial intelligence fuels explosive industry growth.
https://www.kxan.com/news/texas-politics/texas-lawmakers-scrutinize-3-3-billion-cost-of-data-center-tax-incentives/

Texas Scorecard: Next Controversial Transmission Line Segment up for Public Utility Commissioners’ Decision
July 27 — Will governor-appointed commissioners heed outcries from landowners and lawmakers to slow down an extra-high-voltage transmission line project?
https://texasscorecard.com/state/next-controversial-transmission-line-segment-up-for-public-utility-commissioners-decision/

KXAN: How Texas protects you from data center costs
July 26 — he Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) recently provided details on the steps being taken to protect residential ratepayers from the costs of data center expansion.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/politics/articles/texas-protects-data-center-costs-163643127.html

Texas Energy and Power Newsletter: New Demand Record 
July 26 — How the grid survived record breaking demand; Three great podcasts; and what Dinosaur Valley State Park has to do with transmission lines.
https://www.texasenergyandpower.com/p/new-demand-record-reading-and-podcast?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email&utm_content=share

Inside Climate News: Environmental Groups contest San Antonio data centers’ air pollution
July 26 — Three environmental groups sent two San Antonio data centers a notice of intent to sue for failing to secure permits as major air polluters.
https://www.sacurrent.com/author/ajani-stella/

Fort Worth Star-Telegram: (Commentary) Why are Texas leaders waiting until 2027 to act on data centers?
July 26 — New demand can deplete lakes and aquifers already strained by heat and drought. Counties should have the power to demand closed-loop cooling and to set noise setbacks.
https://www.star-telegram.com/opinion/article316626883.html

Read more at: https://www.star-telegram.com/opinion/article316626883.html#storylink=cpyJ
KXAN: How Texas protects you from data center costs
July 26 — The Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) recently provided details on the steps being taken to protect residential ratepayers from the costs of data center expansion.
https://www.kxan.com/news/texas/how-texas-protects-you-from-data-center-costs/

The Cool Down: Texas regulators seek more authority over data centers, grid curtailments, and foreign threats
July 25 — As the state’s data center boom accelerates, the Public Utility Commission of Texas is seeking more authority to oversee how massive electricity users connect to the grid, respond during shortages, and avoid becoming a security risk.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/us/articles/texas-regulators-seek-more-authority-140500061.html

USA Today: Sid Miller urges Greg Abbott to call special session on data centers
July 25 — Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller urged Gov. Greg Abbott Friday, July 24, to convene a special legislative session to address Texans’ concerns about data centers, warning that continued inaction threatens Texas agriculture, rural communities and the state’s electric grid.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/state/texas/2026/07/25/sid-asks-abbott-for-special-session-as-data-centers-threaten-state-resources/91038511007/

Houston Business Journal: Texas takes new steps to keep data center costs off residents’ electric bills
July 25 — The Public Utility Commission of Texas and ERCOT announced new steps to ensure data centers pay for the infrastructure they use.
https://www.bizjournals.com/houston/news/2026/07/25/texas-new-steps-data-center-costs-residents-bills.html

KLTV: ERCOT sees record demand for electricity amid Texas heatwave
July 24 — That electricity is stepped up to high voltages to be moved across the state and delivered along a portion of more than 55,000 miles of transmission lines. Power is then routed to towers owned by local service providers, who physically deliver it to homes and businesses.
https://www.kltv.com/2026/07/24/ercot-sees-record-demand-electricity-amid-texas-heatwave/

KVUE: As bipartisan backlash grows, developer cancels planned data center project in East Texas
July 24 — On Thursday, Gov. Greg Abbott announced the developer Diode withdrew its plan to build a facility near Cedar Creek Lake in Henderson County because its plans didn’t meet community expectations or the governor’s directive.
https://www.kvue.com/article/news/politics/texas-legislature/bipartisan-backlash-grows-developer-cancels-planned-data-center-project-east-texas/269-bd09f112-de16-43bd-9415-6c30b3ad4db5

Texas Scorecard: Transmission Companies Push Forward Controversial 765-kV Lines
July 24 — The same week state senators have planned to hear testimony on the impact 765-kilovolt transmission lines will have on private landowners, a transmission company is moving forward with its proposed transmission line and is holding a public meeting in Wharton County.
https://texasscorecard.com/state/transmission-companies-push-forward-controversial-765-kv-lines/

NBC DFW: Texas rethinks data center boom as Senate weighs tax breaks
July 24 — he hearing comes as Texas regulators pursue new policies aimed at shifting more electric infrastructure costs from residential customers to large data centers.
https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/texas-news/texas-data-center-tax-exemption-hearing/4053952/

Texas Scorecard: Regulators Begin Making Data Centers Pay Their Own Way After Abbott Directive
July 24 — In a new filing to Gov. Abbott, Texas regulators lay out rules to make massive data centers pay for their own grid upgrades and curb their impact on residential power bills.
https://texasscorecard.com/state/regulators-begin-making-data-centers-pay-their-own-way-after-abbott-directive/

Houston Public Media: Most Texans say they oppose local data centers as politicians shift their focus on regulating them
Jay 24 — Politicians on the ballot this November from both sides of the aisle have pressed for greater scrutiny on data centers in Texas. Recent polling shows most Texans oppose them in their communities.
https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/technology/2026/07/24/557888/data-center-poll-texas-politics/

KLTV: ERCOT sees record demand for electricity amid Texas heatwave
July 24 — The Electric Reliability Council of Texas, known as ERCOT, reported demand peaked at approximately 91,308 megawatts Wednesday — the second consecutive record this week. The first came Tuesday, when demand reached about 87,000 megawatts, surpassing a record that had stood since August of 2023.
https://www.kltv.com/2026/07/24/ercot-sees-record-demand-electricity-amid-texas-heatwave/

Bloomberg Law: ERCOT Says Texas Grid Hit Power Demand Record of 91 GW Wednesday
July 23 — The Electric Reliability Council of Texas set a new all-time power demand record of 91 gigawatts on Wednesday, according to emailed statement from the Texas grid operator.
https://news.bloomberglaw.com/texas-brief/ercot-says-texas-grid-hit-power-demand-record-of-91-gw-wednesday

NRG: (Commentary) Key Texas Energy Trends to Watch in 2026
July 23 — Summer is here, and if your business is exposed to energy market risk, or your contract is coming up for renewal — you may be paying closer attention to energy prices than usual. But summer shouldn’t be the only time you think about your energy strategy.
https://www.nrg.com/insights/energy-education/key-texas-energy-trends-to-watch-in-2026.html

Broadband Breakfast: Democrats Seize on AI Data Center Backlash That’s Dividing Rural Republicans
July 23 — When Gina Hinojosa, the Democratic nominee for Texas governor, began her campaign last year, candidates weren’t talking about — or hearing about — data centers that power artificial intelligence.
https://broadbandbreakfast.com/democrats-seize-on-ai-data-center-backlash-thats-dividing-rural-republicans/