Texas halts data center grid connections amid overwhelming demand

Confirmed: Governor Abbott halts all new data center grid connections in Texas pending audits. ERCOT queue 474 GW, 90% data centers, $3.2B tax revenue loss. Behind-the-meter gas exempted. Dramatic escalation from earlier rural ban call. Texas boom also driving cross-border supply chain opportunities in Mexico. New local pause in Denton reinforces grid strain. Amazon's 7.65 GW off-grid gas plant is exempt from this halt, demonstrating the behind-the-meter workaround. New: Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller warns of electoral backlash, adding political dimension.