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Fort Worth Begins Legal Push Toward Temporary Data‑Center Moratorium

The move gives the city time to study grid, water and neighborhood impacts under a state-ordered audit of interconnection requests.

Overview

  • The City Council on Aug. 11 approved measures to start the legal process for a temporary moratorium and to create an 11‑member Data Center and Infrastructure Commission.
  • The commission will be led by Dr. Mike Slattery and is scheduled to deliver a report to council by Nov. 3 that will guide possible new local rules.
  • Council also adopted a requirement that developers show proof of Public Utility Commission or ERCOT interconnection approval before the city issues plats, permits or infrastructure reviews.
  • Texas law limits any municipal moratorium to an initial 90 days with a possible 90‑day extension and protects projects with vested rights or already-filed applications.
  • The actions follow Gov. Greg Abbott’s directive for the PUC and ERCOT to audit data‑center interconnection applications and respond to resident concerns about electricity, water use and neighborhood impacts.