El Paso council to discuss options to end Meta data center incentive agreement Tuesday
El Paso City Council is set to discuss options for terminating an existing incentive agreement with Meta for a data center project, despite warnings from Mayor Renard Johnson about potential taxpayer risks. Community members are actively organizing to voice concerns about the data center's impact on water and electricity resources. The agreement was approved in 2023, and construction is currently underway.
The El Paso City Council is scheduled to hold a meeting on Tuesday to consider options for ending an incentive agreement with Meta regarding a data center project. This comes as community members, organized by groups like Amanecer People's Project, are mobilizing to present their concerns during public comment. Residents Maggie Gannon and Walli Haley emphasized the importance of community input, with Gannon highlighting potential impacts of organizing regardless of the immediate outcome.
Mayor Renard Johnson has expressed understanding of public concerns but cautioned that terminating the 2023 binding agreement could expose taxpayers to significant legal and financial risks. He noted that the city has a legal obligation and cannot renege on its word, especially since construction is already in progress. Residents, however, are urging city attorneys to thoroughly review the contract before any decisions are made.
Beyond contractual obligations, community members have raised alarms about the long-term environmental consequences of data centers in the region, specifically pointing to water and electricity consumption. Dr. David J. Garcia underscored the critical importance of water, while Gannon stressed that running out of water would be a greater consequence than potential contract termination fees. Mayor Johnson indicated that the council is considering new regulations for future data center projects to address these concerns, but stated that the Meta agreement, being already in place, is a distinct situation.