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Holland & Knight has reported on the dramatic political and regulatory shift in Texas data center policy in 2026. Three weeks ago, Gov. Greg Abbott directed state regulators to conduct a "comprehensive verification audit" of data center projects advancing through the Electric Reliability Council of Texas' (ERCOT) "Batch Zero" interconnection process before any additional projects move forward.
ERCOT immediately responded with an announcement that it would seek a "good-cause exception" from delivering on its previously scheduled August 7, 2026, announcement of qualified projects for approval under Batch Zero. In the wake of these events, industry stakeholders have begun to issue statements expressing a willingness to comply with the governor's directives.
On August 14, 2026, the Public Utilities Commission of Texas (PUC) convened an open meeting to consider an updated report from senior ERCOT officials in light of these recent changes. The ERCOT team provided an overview of the Batch Zero study process, timeline and clarification that, prior to the governor's directive, ERCOT had already been planning a "parallel" verification process to disqualify applicants from continued study based on any material inaccuracies or misrepresentations made to transmission service providers in the interconnection study process.
However, as a result of the governor's directive, this verification process will now instead be conducted at the outset "as a gating item" that would disqualify noncompliant or incomplete projects before ERCOT begins the interconnection study process.
Community Impact Information
Notably new to the scope of ERCOT's analysis is what ERCOT called "community impact information" that, for projects 25 megawatts or above (including crypto facilities), goes beyond traditional technical study into such areas as 1) requests for tax incentives, grants or abatements; 2) water sourcing, use and reuse; 3) nuisance impacts to neighboring properties, such as noise and light controls, setbacks and traffic improvements; and 4) information detailing the ownership and controlling interests of projects.
On August 19, 2026, the Texas House Committee on State Affairs met, and state regulators conceded, that their agencies don't have explicit regulatory authority over these "community impact" items and that they would rely on voluntary attestations from data center developers. One senior committee member stated he intended to carry, and expects to pass, legislation that would fully repeal the sales tax exemption currently available for data centers.
PUC commissioners implored large load applicants to be both timely and forthcoming with thorough, accurate information in response to ERCOT's requests for information in this audit process. The chairman explicitly stated that the results of these audits will undoubtedly shape legislation in the upcoming 90th Texas legislative session.
Considerations for Industry Stakeholders
Recognizing the rapidly shifting political and regulatory environment facing the industry, Holland & Knight's Austin-based Texas Government Advocacy Team has established the Texas Data Center Association, a trade association dedicated to effectively representing the industry before Texas policymakers and helping ensure that data center companies have a coordinated voice in the debates already underway.
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