City Rep. Limon talks data center, budget
The El Paso City Council recently adopted a new data center policy framework that introduces stricter regulations for future data center projects. This policy, which includes requiring special permits, eliminating local tax incentives, and addressing environmental impacts, was passed following public debate and opposition to hyperscale data centers, including a Meta project in Northeast El Paso.
The El Paso City Council recently adopted a new data center policy framework after months of public debate regarding hyperscale data centers, including one under construction by Meta in Northeast El Paso.
The new policy recommends several key changes for future data center developments: requiring special permits, eliminating local tax incentives, and mandating that developers address critical issues such as water consumption, energy demand, and environmental impacts before projects can proceed.
City Representative for District Seven, Lily Limon, who has been an outspoken opponent of the Meta data center, acknowledged that the framework, while focusing on future projects, might feel "a little late" to some concerned residents. She expressed skepticism about Meta agreeing to community benefit agreements in the past and questioned the potential for more data centers in El Paso given the widespread pushback against such developments both locally and nationally.