City mulls benefits agreement with Meta
El Paso residents will soon have the opportunity to directly address Meta regarding concerns about its massive data center project, particularly its water and electricity usage. City leaders are negotiating a community benefits agreement with Meta, which could provide funding for local projects, while residents continue to push for greater transparency from the company.
After months of public inquiry, El Paso residents will soon have a direct forum to voice their concerns about Meta's extensive data center project, including its potential water and electricity consumption. City officials announced that Meta plans to host community meetings across all eight city council districts as a possible community benefits agreement progresses.
City leaders received an update on ongoing discussions with Meta, which began in June when the City Council directed staff to collaborate with Meta and regional partners on a community agreement. This agreement aims to secure support from Meta for projects that would benefit El Paso, with city staff already identifying potential initiatives aligned with El Paso's Climate Action Plan.
Separately, Meta has established a one-billion-dollar nationwide fund for communities hosting its data centers, which El Paso could potentially access. However, funding from this initiative is not guaranteed, as the program supports communities across the country. Residents have also criticized Meta for a perceived lack of transparency, advocating for direct engagement with the community. City staff are expected to present a list of projects for council approval in two weeks, to be submitted to Meta for funding. Diana Castillo reported for KTSM 9 News from City Hall.