Story perspectives

Abbott Imposes Data-Center Power Moratorium Amid 56% Voter Opposition

8/4/2026

Summary

Story summary

Governor Greg Abbott ordered an Aug. 3 moratorium on data-center connections, directing Public Utility Commission of Texas and Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) to audit interconnection requests.
ERCOT said its queue holds 1,800 projects totaling 474 GW, with data centers making 90 percent of power requests.
A June 24 poll found 56 percent of voters oppose data-center construction, including 42 percent opposed.
Rep. Sid Miller urged Abbott July 24 to convene a session about the moratorium.

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Story summary

Governor Greg Abbott ordered an Aug. 3 moratorium on data-center connections, directing Public Utility Commission of Texas and Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) to audit interconnection requests.
ERCOT said its queue holds 1,800 projects totaling 474 GW, with data centers making 90 percent of power requests.
A June 24 poll found 56 percent of voters oppose data-center construction, including 42 percent opposed.
Rep. Sid Miller urged Abbott July 24 to convene a session about the moratorium.