From Straight Arrow · · 2m
She was building her dream home. Then came a data center's 'minor' power plant
Texas neighbor fights data center's hidden power plant permit loophole.
In brief
Texas neighbor fights data center's hidden power plant permit loophole. Merrie Saltana's family faces displacement after a data center's minor power plant, approved without public input, threatens their home in Bastrop County, Texas. Originally reported by Straight Arrow.
Merrie Saltana's dream home
Merrie Saltana was three days from pouring concrete for her family's dream home when she heard about a data center's proposed power plant across the street.
“Welcome to my little piece of Heaven, for now.”
Data center power plant
The Pacifico Energy power plant, set to run 30% to 80% of the year, will produce 1.3 gigawatts of electricity for Anthropic's data center.
“It was like somebody punched me in the gut.”
Minor source permit
Texas regulators approved the power plant under a minor source permit, which requires no public notice or comment period before construction.
“None of these projects are being considered holistically.”
Regulatory loophole
Data centers use minor source permits to avoid public input, allowing them to build power plants without community oversight.
“It’s allowed for a lot of loopholes and problematic determinations about what’s major and minor.”
Cumulative pollution
Environmental groups warn that splitting large power installations into multiple minor permits leads to unreviewed cumulative pollution impacts.
“There’s a big risk for air pollution to be worse than it would be if these were more regulated.”
Texas regulatory surge
Texas saw a surge in minor source permits for data center power plants from 30 to 90 applications per year (2016-2023) to 158 in 2025.
“In 2024 the agency received 122, followed by 158 in 2025.”
Neighbors' concerns
Residents in Bastrop County worry about air pollution and the lack of community input for the Pacifico power plant.
“I feel very dependent on these guys that are so knowledgeable and are really doing all the hard work.”
Legal challenges
Environmental groups are challenging data centers for splitting power plants into multiple minor permits to avoid cumulative emissions reviews.
“All of these generators are going to be on the same property and serving no other purpose other than powering Amazon’s facility.”
Regulatory process
Texas regulators require no public notice or comment period for minor source permits, leaving residents with limited ability to challenge the project.
“The only changes in the neighborhood were the surveying flags on the project site fluttering in a mellow breeze.”
Power plant capacity
Pacifico's 48 turbines will generate 1.3 gigawatts of electricity, comparable to the largest nuclear reactors in the U.S.
“Pacifico’s turbines will be on par with the largest nuclear reactor units in the U.S.”
Public meeting
Residents held a meeting on October 7, 2026, to discuss the Pacifico power plant and data center project.
“Part of our methodology has been to throw sand in gears and just slow this thing down.”
Health impacts
A report estimates 177 gigawatts of gas power plants could lead to $5.6 billion in annual healthcare costs due to air pollution.
“It might be conservative because this lack of oversight we’re talking about could lead to them emitting more than is in their permitted limit.”
Construction timeline
The Pacifico power plant is pending approval as of mid-October 2026, with construction expected to begin in November.
“The power plant and data center campus are looking to move forward with the first phase of construction at the end of November.”
Community impact
Residents face displacement risks as the data center and power plant threaten their homes and community.
“Who’s gonna want to buy next to a data center, especially this type of data center next to a power plant?”
What happens next
Texas regulators are pausing data center approvals while they audit grid connections, with the Pacifico project pending approval until December.
“The audit is expected to wrap up in December.”
The headline
Merrie Saltana's family faces displacement after a data center's minor power plant, approved without public input, threatens their home in Bastrop County, Texas.
