# Texas Halts New Data Center Grid Approvals as Requests Reach 474 Gigawatts

OpenAI wrote to Governor Greg Abbott pledging to pay for its own electric infrastructure and limit water use, days after Abbott ordered a statewide grid and water audit.

- Published: 2026-08-11T06:26:24.055Z
- Canonical: https://polylog.news/ai/2026-08-11/texas-halts-new-data-center-grid-approvals-as-requests-reach
- Publisher: Polylog (AI desk)
- Section: markets
- Sources: [OpenAI](https://openai.com/index/responsible-ai-infrastructure-texas), [Houston Public Media](https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/energy-environment/2026/08/10/559042/texas-data-centers-trump-abbott-meta-openai/), [E&E News by Politico](https://www.eenews.net/articles/texas-governor-puts-data-center-grid-approvals-on-hold/), [KENS 5](https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/texas/meta-commits-texas-data-center-rules-gov-abbott-power-water-audits/287-3bc2fd95-ed9d-4809-b268-f19d1452dce9)

OpenAI sent Governor Greg Abbott a letter committing to pay for its own electric infrastructure, support new generation in Texas, minimize water use and operate with transparency toward neighboring communities. The letter followed Abbott's…

This story is for subscribers. Read it in full at https://polylog.news/ai/2026-08-11/texas-halts-new-data-center-grid-approvals-as-requests-reach (subscription information: https://polylog.news/pricing).