'Block Party' participants voice opposition to Meta project
Residents in El Paso protested against a Meta data center project, citing concerns about noise, air, and heat pollution, as well as significant water consumption. The protest aimed to show Meta that residents do not want the facility.
On Saturday, July 25, community groups and residents in Northeast El Paso held a "Block Party Protest" against the Meta data center project. Veronica Carbajal of the Sembrando Esperanza Coalition stated the gathering was organized for opponents to connect and send a clear message to Meta that they do not want the facility in their community.
Residents expressed dissatisfaction with Meta's promises, believing they will fall short in addressing concerns like noise, air, and heat pollution, and other consequences already evident during construction. Carbajal also highlighted the data center's substantial water usage, reportedly up to 2.5 million gallons daily on the hottest days, and questioned El Paso Electric's lack of clarity regarding the power plant's water consumption.