Meta touts $10B El Paso data center, water and grid pledges as council weighs incentives
Meta is emphasizing its $10 billion El Paso data center investment, highlighting job creation, water conservation pledges, and commitments to grid stability. The El Paso City Council is currently weighing whether to discontinue economic incentive deals for the project. Meta has promised to restore 200% of the water consumed and fund significant electrical grid improvements.
Meta is aggressively promoting its expanding $10 billion data center campus in El Paso, Texas, ahead of a crucial vote by the El Paso City Council regarding the future of its economic development agreements. The technology giant, through its public affairs firm, The Monument Group, submitted letters to Mayor Renard Johnson and City Council members, outlining extensive commitments. These include creating over 300 permanent operational jobs and 4,000 peak construction jobs, as well as generating substantial property tax revenue for local entities.
Addressing key environmental concerns, Meta detailed its plans for water conservation in the arid Borderland region. The facility will employ a closed-loop liquid cooling system, primarily using water during peak hot periods. Crucially, Meta has partnered with El Paso Water to utilize treated wastewater for construction and pledged to restore 200% of the data center's water consumption through various conservation projects in the Rio Grande watershed, including irrigation efficiency for farmers and expanding water access for underserved communities.
Regarding electricity, Meta asserts that agreements with El Paso Electric ensure the company covers all associated costs, estimated at $40 million annually, thus preventing the burden from falling on existing customers. Furthermore, Meta will fund significant grid infrastructure upgrades, such as substations and transmission improvements, and has matched 100% of its annual electricity use with renewable energy since 2020.
The City Council's decision is influenced by Meta's track record, with Los Lunas, New Mexico Mayor Charles Griego endorsing Meta as a positive corporate partner based on their decade-long presence and $2.5 billion investment in his community. Griego highlighted Meta's contributions to job creation, tax revenue, infrastructure, and renewable energy, urging El Paso officials to visit Los Lunas to witness the benefits firsthand. The ongoing discussions will determine the future of the El Paso campus and its associated long-term resource management.