Escobar calls on Meta for transparency, answers on new data center impacts

U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar (D-Texas) has urged Meta to conduct public listening sessions to address community concerns regarding its expanding data center in El Paso. Meta recently announced a significant expansion of its El Paso facility, increasing its investment from $1.5 billion to over $10 billion and aiming for a 1-gigawatt capacity, which will generate hundreds of permanent jobs and thousands of construction roles. Separately, the Army selected a private industry partner to develop a commercial data center at Fort Bliss. In a letter to Meta, Rep. Escobar emphasized the need for transparency, stating that El Pasoans deserve a meaningful role in decisions directly affecting their community. Constituents have voiced questions regarding the data center's impact on local water resources, electricity bills, and the nature of the permanent jobs it will create. Escobar highlighted concerns about the substantial energy consumption by data centers, noting potential electricity rate increases for consumers, and pointed out Meta's engagement with El Paso Electric (EPE) to rapidly expand EPE's capacity. Environmental impacts are also a major point of concern, particularly regarding Meta's commitment to renewable energy. Despite an initial public pledge for renewable energy, Meta reportedly indicated that its renewable projects are located outside El Paso, suggesting energy needs will be met by gas-powered turbines, a source of greenhouse gas emissions. Water consumption is another critical issue; large data centers can use millions of gallons daily. While Meta has committed to restoring 200% of its water consumption to local watersheds, the specifics of this plan remain unclear to the community. The City of El Paso has begun its own community meetings to gather feedback and develop a policy framework for regulating future data centers, which aligns with its broader Climate Action Plan. These efforts seek to balance environmental, community, and economic development factors. The Meta data center is projected to become operational in 2028, with community engagement being crucial for building trust.