Zoning, ordinance, or regulatory order
·
Active
Austin County adopts order pausing new AI data center and battery storage construction
Austin County adopted an order requiring fire marshal plan review and a comprehensive health-and-safety review before any battery energy storage system or data center project may proceed in unincorporated areas, effectively pausing new AI data center and BESS development.
View source ↗
-
—
Ordinance adopted
— Austin County adopted an order requiring fire marshal plan review and a comprehensive health-and-safety review before any battery energy storage system or data center project may proceed in unincorporated areas, effectively pausing new AI data center and BESS development.
source
Enacted moratorium
·
Active
Austin County adopts pause on new AI data center developments
Austin County adopted a moratorium pausing new AI data center developments so the county can evaluate the overall impact of such facilities on local life.
View source ↗
-
—
Moratorium enacted
— Austin County adopted a moratorium pausing new AI data center developments so the county can evaluate the overall impact of such facilities on local life.
source
Zoning, ordinance, or regulatory order
·
Passed
Austin County adopts data center and BESS development pause
Austin County passed an ordinance adopting a countywide pause on new artificial intelligence data center and battery energy storage system developments so the county can study their impact.
View source ↗
-
—
Ordinance adopted
— Austin County passed an ordinance adopting a countywide pause on new artificial intelligence data center and battery energy storage system developments so the county can study their impact.
source
Enacted moratorium
·
Active
Austin County passes countywide moratorium on AI data center developments
Austin County, a county of about 30,000 people west of Houston, passed an ordinance adopting a countywide moratorium on new AI data center developments.
View source ↗
-
Jul 1, 2026
Moratorium enacted
— Austin County, a county of about 30,000 people west of Houston, passed an ordinance adopting a countywide moratorium on new AI data center developments.
source
Zoning, ordinance, or regulatory order
·
Passed
Austin County Order Regarding Battery Energy Storage Systems and Data Centers
Austin County Commissioners Court unanimously adopted a countywide order/moratorium-style regulatory review on new AI data center and BESS developments, requiring a comprehensive health-and-safety review, fire marshal plan review, and equipment manufacturer audits before any new construction can be permitted in unincorporated areas of the county.
View source ↗
-
Jul 27, 2026
Ordinance adopted
— Austin County Commissioners Court unanimously adopted a countywide order/moratorium-style regulatory review on new AI data center and BESS developments, requiring a comprehensive health-and-safety review, fire marshal plan review, and equipment manufacturer audits before any new construction can be permitted in unincorporated areas of the county.
source
Zoning, ordinance, or regulatory order
·
Passed
BESS and Data Center Health and Review Order
Since moratoriums are illegal under Texas law, Austin County passed the "BESS and Data Center Health and Review Order," setting heightened regulations on the approval process for data center and BESS developments in unincorporated areas. Followed an earlier moratorium/ordinance discussion.
View source ↗
-
May 11, 2026
Ordinance adopted
— Health and safety review order adopted.
source
-
Mar 9, 2026
Introduced on agenda
— Initial discussion of moratorium/ordinance on data centers and BESS.
source