The move is the latest in a series of escalating efforts by the governor to slow data center development in Texas ahead of November’s election.
Paul Cobler
Paul Cobler is the Tribune's economy and industry reporter, covering the socioeconomic and political forces that impact Texans’ pocketbooks and upward mobility. Before joining the Tribune, he was a politics reporter for the Houston Landing and covered Baton Rouge City Hall for The Advocate in Louisiana. Paul grew up in Victoria, Texas, and graduated from the University of Texas at Austin. His reporting has appeared in news publications across the state, including the Dallas Morning News, Austin American-Statesman and the Houston Chronicle. He is based in Austin.
Posted in
Energy
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick calls on ERCOT to reverse 30% pay raise for board members
Patrick has also rebuked ERCOT’s board for approving and then backtracking on a contract that would allow ERCOT’s CEO to earn $6.4 million in 2027.
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Energy
ERCOT quickly backtracks after approving contract that would let CEO earn $6.4 million in 2027
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick balked at the contract two boards approved for Pablo Vegas. The ERCOT chief said officials then decided not to execute the deal.
Posted in
Texas affordability crisis
Texas cities say Abbott’s proposal to disband their electric companies won’t lower costs
On the campaign trail, the governor said dismantling city-owned utilities will save customers money by introducing competition.
Posted in
Texas affordability crisis
With voters squeezed by high costs, Texas candidates race to claim affordability mantle
If not carefully vetted, candidates’ proposals to lower costs could exacerbate future affordability issues, experts say.
Posted in
Energy
Industry warns of blackouts, economic woes if Texas overreacts to data center, transmission line anger
Energy regulators and industry experts warn that the state’s delays to major projects amid backlash from residents could create rolling blackouts and strangle growth of other industries that need power.
Posted in
Energy
Residents and industry leaders at odds over transmission lines at legislative hearing
The growing backlash surrounding 765 kv lines, as well as data centers, was tackled at a nine-hour House hearing that included testimony and recommendations but no definitive answers.
Posted in
Energy
Texas will audit up to 300 projects, mostly data centers, after Gov. Greg Abbott’s order
The state’s power grid operator had already planned on auditing several data center proposals, but Abbott’s directive reworks the timeline and adds new requirements.
Posted in
Economy
Data center audit lacks specifics even as Gov. Abbott, industry leaders tout it
Without key details on the audits but the eagerness to support them, policy watchers question how impactful these audits will be in curbing data center growth.
Posted in
Energy
Data center approvals in Texas halted until audits completed, Gov. Greg Abbott says
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.
