In the past week, Hill County, Texas, approved a one-year pause on new data center construction in unincorporated areas by a 3–2 vote. In February 2026, Van Zandt County, Texas, issued a moratorium on green energy projects, including battery energy storage systems, solar facilities, and wind energy projects. By contrast, in February 2026, Hood County, Texas, rejected a moratorium on data center development by a 3–2 vote. —a first for a Texas county and a potential bellwether for rural communities facing rapid data center expansion.

These local Texas actions followed public concerns about the pace and impacts of proposed projects—including worries about noise and the strain on water and electricity resources. Moratorium proposals and “pause” efforts are becoming more common nationally as well.

This webinar will help data center developers, energy providers, contractors, investors, and landowners in Texas understand what these bans look like in practice—and how to build an effective strategy to prevent, narrow, or overturn them.

Some of the topics that our panelists will cover include:

• The scope of “bans” and moratoria—what they typically include
• Recent actions and trends—what’s changing
• Strategies companies should consider to contest (or avoid) bans

Speakers:

• Bill Kroger, Practice Group Co-Chair – Energy Litigation (Firmwide), Baker Botts
• Tina Nguyen, Deputy Department Chair – Litigation (Houston), Baker Botts
• Christopher Tutunjian, Senior Associate, Baker Botts
• Nathan Thibon, Associate, Baker Botts

Questions: [email protected]

Anticipated CLE: TBD

Program content is appropriate for newly admitted and experienced lawyers.

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