Two watchdog organizations have released a detailed review showing that the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) continued to process permits tied to data‑center projects even after Governor Greg Abbott sent a formal letter on Sept. 21 ordering a halt. The findings, compiled by FracTracker Alliance in partnership with Public Citizen, document 35 separate actions taken by the agency through Oct. 16.

Permit activity after the governor’s directive

The report lists several categories of permits that moved forward:

• Fourteen applications for gas‑fired plants and generators that serve data centers or support their construction were advanced, with some assigned to an engineer or placed on an expedited track.
• Eleven construction storm‑water approvals were recorded for large campuses in Caldwell County, Abilene and Cedar Creek, a required step before clearing, grading and digging can begin.
• Seven air‑emission‑limit certifications were logged as issued, including one for a San Antonio data center on Oct. 16.
• Three preliminary‑decision notices for major air permits were mailed on Sept. 22, the day after the governor’s letter, for projects in Shackelford County, Hubbard County and Hill County. Two of those notices opened 30‑day public comment periods.

One concrete example highlighted in the report is a generator registration for Edged Energy in Dallas. The application was filed and expedited on Oct. 6, assigned to an engineer the next day, and moved through initial review by Oct. 9.

TCEQ’s response

In an Oct. 14 statement to FracTracker, the agency said it had paused “the issuance of all air and water permits and authorizations related to the construction or development of infrastructure directly supporting data centers” while the state grid operator, ERCOT, completes its audit. The agency added that companies may still submit applications, but “their applications will not advance through the review process.”

FracTracker’s analysis, however, indicates that applications did continue to move forward, contradicting the agency’s claim of a full pause. Inside Climate News, which reported on the findings, noted that neither Governor Abbott’s office nor the TCEQ responded to requests for comment.

Why this matters for Texans

Data centers are energy‑intensive facilities that rely on reliable power and often require new gas‑fired generation or extensive water‑management infrastructure. The governor’s directive was intended to give state officials time to assess the impact of these projects on the electric grid, especially after recent reliability concerns.

The continued processing of permits raises concerns about transparency and accountability in state regulatory actions. Critics argue that moving forward with approvals could undermine the governor’s effort to ensure the grid can handle additional load without compromising reliability for residential customers.

What’s next?

Stakeholders, including local officials and community groups, are likely to monitor the situation closely. If the TCEQ’s actions are deemed inconsistent with the governor’s order, further oversight or legislative clarification could follow. For now, the agency maintains that no permits will be formally issued until ERCOT completes its audit, but the record shows that review processes have not been entirely halted.

Texans who rely on a stable power supply and who are concerned about environmental impacts of new generation facilities should stay informed about any further developments from the governor’s office and the TCEQ.

Original reporting: DenisonWeekly.news — read the source article.