Texas suspends 17 data center permits and shuts down automated STEERS portal

Texas has suspended construction permits for 17 data center projects and temporarily disabled the STEERS portal that automatically approved them. Governor Greg Abbott called for a halt in September 2026, but the system kept issuing permits, including for OpenAI and Amazon projects.

• 17 stormwater construction permits for data center projects suspended
• STEERS portal shut down; TCEQ staff now review applications manually
• Abbott ordered a halt to new permits in September 2026
• Governor earlier paused 1,800 data center projects for audit