Abbott Pauses Data Center Permits as Polls Tighten in Texas Race

Texas Governor Greg Abbott ordered a temporary pause in state permits for data-center development, escalating efforts to curb the sector's rapid expansion. The move reflects growing political opposition and could delay planned AI and cloud-infrastructure projects, with potential implications for power demand, developers and associated equipment suppliers. Abbott's unexpectedly competitive reelection campaign adds political uncertainty to the state's data-center policy outlook.