A data center operating as a self-generator must register or re-register with the Public Utility Commission of Texas under 16 TAC § 25.109.

Self-generator registrations must be renewed every two years.

The registration must provide detailed information about each generating unit, including its location, county, capacity, fuel or generation type, interconnecting transmission service provider, ERCOT region, and any co-located load.

The registration must identify primary and secondary emergency contacts, a regulatory contact, and the facility’s physical address.

The registration must include a notarized affidavit affirming the information’s accuracy and completeness, the registrant’s authority to file, compliance with applicable law and rules, and the absence of specified disqualifying violations.

Qualified facilities and exempt wholesale generators must attach applicable Federal Energy Regulatory Commission registration documentation.

Previously registered power generation companies and self-generators were required to complete the full registration form as a compliance update by June 1, 2023.

Construction and operation of the generating equipment require registration under TCEQ Air Standard Permit 6005 before authorization is granted.

The TCEQ registration requires payment of a $1,400 fee, consisting of a $900 registration fee and a $500 expedited-processing fee.

The applicant must demonstrate compliance with the general requirements in 30 TAC §§ 116.610 and 116.615 and with the applicable requirements of the specific standard permit.

The application must include technical materials such as a process flow diagram, process description, maximum-emissions data and calculations, and a plot plan.

The application must provide projected construction and operation dates and identify how long the equipment will remain at the site; the application states that the generating units are permanent once installed.

Allows data centers as an eligible land use in designated areas, subject to the regulation’s siting and development requirements.

Creates a permitting process for constructing, expanding, and operating data centers rather than leaving approval solely to case-by-case discretion.

Authorizes economic-development agreements and other available incentives, including potential tax abatements, for qualifying data-center projects.

Allows the county to coordinate or enter agreements for infrastructure needed by an approved data center, including utilities, roads, and related improvements.

Protects projects that have received required approvals, and potentially existing lawful facilities, from retroactive application of later regulatory changes, subject to continued compliance with applicable conditions.

Allows Galaxy Helios I LLC to register as a self-generator with a 327.2 MW diesel backup-generating unit to supply its data center during a system-wide grid outage or loss of grid interconnection service; the registration is for backup generation and the company states it does not intend to sell electricity at wholesale.

Allows the project to use TCEQ Standard Permit 6005 through an initial registration instead of an individualized air-permit application.

Permits expedited processing of the TCEQ registration upon payment of a $500 expedite fee in addition to the $900 registration fee.

Identifies public notice as not applicable to the TCEQ registration, avoiding the public-notice process for that application.

Allows the TCEQ registration to be submitted through ePermits without sending additional copies to the regional office or local air-pollution-control programs.

Identifies the facility and generating units as permanent once installed, allowing the authorized equipment to remain at the site rather than limiting it to a temporary operating period.