Hearings begin on El Paso Electric’s proposed power plant for Meta data center

News Clip0:34KVIA ABC-7·El Paso County, TX·7/12/2026

Hearings have commenced on El Paso Electric's proposal for a natural gas power plant in Northeast El Paso, Texas, which is intended to support a Meta data center. The City of El Paso is actively opposing the nearly $500 million plant, which El Paso Electric claims will not affect ratepayers. The State Office of Administrative Hearings will oversee testimony for two days.

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Gov: Public Utility Commission of Texas, State Office of Administrative Hearings, City of El Paso

The Public Utility Commission of Texas has initiated hearings regarding El Paso Electric's proposal to construct a natural gas power plant. This facility, projected to cost nearly $500 million, is planned for Northeast El Paso and is designed to provide power for a Meta data center currently under development in the area.

El Paso Electric has stated that the plant will not impact customer rates. However, the City of El Paso is actively opposing the construction of the power plant and played a significant role in advocating for these hearings to take place.

The State Office of Administrative Hearings is now presiding over two days of testimony concerning the proposed plant, marking a crucial step in the regulatory approval process.