Texas says data centers must pass an audit before connecting to the grid

Texas Gov. Abbott halts all state-issued permits for data centers until grid audit is complete reut.rs/3VnZSja

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has paused new data center development until an audit has been completed.

L.D. 307 would have imposed the country’s first statewide moratorium on new data centers — lasting, in this case, until November 1, 2027.

The decision arrives as the breakneck pace of data center construction has grid operators scrambling to generate power.

The largest grid operator in the U.S. says it will cut power to large data centers to prevent blackouts starting next year.