power generation

The state's power grid operator had already planned on auditing several data center proposals, but Abbott's directive reworks the timeline and adds new requirements.

Oklahoma passed a law last year allowing energy-hungry facilities to build their own power. But as data center announcements sprout up across Oklahoma, most include plans to work with local utilities.

Critics say the governor must call legislators to Austin to pass state laws regulating data centers.

As more and more data center developers submit proposals to build in Texas, questions about how they will impact Texas' grid and contribute to drought conditions across the state are widespread.

Nearly half of the power plants planned to supply electricity for data centers would be in Texas. Experts warn they will emit significant pollution that could harm the health of communities nearby.

California-based Deep Fission, which partnered with the U.S. Department of Energy to build its Gravity Reactor in boreholes one mile underground in the Great Plains Industrial Park, plans to raise more than $40 million to fund its pilot project in Kansas.

So-called large-load customers could make up most of the new demand for electricity in Xcel’s service area in 5 years. Consumer advocates say they must pay their own way.

Pacifico Energy and other energy companies are rushing to build private power plants across the Lone Star State.

Oil and gas companies have said the region needs more power. Environmentalists and a conservative think tank worry the state is moving too fast — and ratepayers will see the costs in their bills.

The Unified Government and the BPU are in discussions with three proposed data center projects code-named Project Red Wolf, Project Yardbird and Project Linda. Officials insist the projects won't increase utility bills for other ratepayers, but similar promises elsewhere have been proven false.