Community concerns remain over data centers
A controversial data center proposed for Fort Bliss in El Paso, TX, by the U.S. Army and Carlyle Group, is facing strong community opposition. Residents voiced concerns about water and energy resources during a public listening session, despite developers promising a self-contained facility. Many attendees left frustrated by a perceived lack of concrete answers.
A proposed data center project at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas, developed through a partnership between the U.S. Army and global investment firm Carlyle Group, is facing significant community pushback. The facility, intended for unused land near East El Paso, aims for initial operations by late 2027 and full capacity by 2029, promising massive computing power for the Army's AI capabilities while also serving commercial clients.
During a recent public listening session, numerous El Paso residents voiced strong concerns, primarily focusing on the data center's potential impact on the region's limited water and energy resources. Project leaders from Carlyle and the Army attempted to alleviate fears by outlining plans for a self-contained operation, including generating its own power, possibly via a gas turbine, and implementing a "net-neutral" closed-loop water system to avoid drawing from the city's utility grids. The facility is expected to scale from 100 megawatts to three gigawatts at full build-out.
However, many attendees expressed frustration, reporting that the session lacked concrete answers and that explanations, particularly regarding the closed-loop water system, felt misleading. The public's skepticism underscores ongoing community concerns about large-scale industrial developments. Officials have indicated that completing a full economic impact study remains a top priority in the coming months as the project moves through its early development phases.