El Paso council backs Meta data center amid heated public opposition
The El Paso City Council voted to approve an agreement with Meta for a new data center, despite significant public opposition. Residents raised concerns about the facility's potential impact on water supply and air quality, while supporters highlighted job creation. The city manager noted that canceling the agreement would pose a financial risk to taxpayers.
The El Paso City Council held a contentious meeting regarding a proposed Meta data center, where members ultimately voted to uphold an agreement with the tech giant. This decision was met with heated public opposition, with a crowd reportedly chanting "Vote them out" after the resolution was passed.
Residents voiced significant concerns about the data center's environmental impact, specifically citing the potential depletion of the area's water supply and compromise of air quality. Conversely, some community members expressed support for the project, emphasizing the economic benefits, including the creation of jobs, which they believe would help retain residents within the city.
El Paso's city manager stated that canceling the agreement with Meta would present a financial risk to taxpayers. The data center is projected to create 300 full-time positions and an additional 4,000 jobs during its construction phase.