Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ)

Built World

Holding data center permits under Abbott's September 21 directive

Texas has widened its freeze on data centers from the power grid to environmental permits. On September 21, Governor Greg Abbott told the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to stop approving data center permits until the Electric Reliability Council of Texas finishes auditing the projects waiting to connect.

Updated Oct 23

Rule Changes

Reviewing the MSD application after council approval; has 90 days from receiving it to certify or deny

Dallas City Council members held a public hearing and approved an ordinance supporting a municipal setting designation (MSD) for 4700 Singleton Boulevard on September 23. The designation permanently bans groundwater use beneath the rebar factory site, letting owner GoodRE Singleton Investments avoid cleanup costs.

Updated Oct 17

Rule Changes

As of May 2026: Implements NPDES/TPDES eReporting in Texas; issues tool guidance and waivers.

For years, Clean Water Act reporting has lived in a split-screen world: core discharge numbers went digital, but paperwork stayed stuck in PDFs, emails, and filing cabinets. Phase 2 of EPA's NPDES Electronic Reporting Rule aims to close that gap, with a December 21, 2025 compliance date.

Updated May 16