City of El Paso’s Meta data center incentive agreement to remain in place

The El Paso City Council voted 5-3 to maintain its controversial incentive agreement with Meta Platforms Inc. for a data center in Northeast El Paso, rejecting a proposal that could have led to the contract's termination. The decision on Tuesday came after a seven-hour public comment period, largely dominated by opponents of the project who chanted "Vote them out" and "We'll see you in November" following the vote.

City Representatives Josh Aceveo and Lily Limón, who placed the item on the agenda due to public backlash, voted in favor of termination. Opponents primarily voiced environmental concerns, arguing the facility would strain scarce groundwater supplies, increase electricity demands, and generate excessive air pollution. Westsider Araceli Reyes highlighted the irony of a corporation potentially using 1.5 million gallons of water daily while residents are urged to conserve.

However, City Representatives Alejandra Chávez, Cynthia Boyar Trejo, Deanna Maldonado-Rocha, Art Fierro, and Ivan Niño voted against terminating the agreement. Supporters, including contractors working on the project like Angelica Rosales from Sundt Construction, emphasized the jobs already created and warned of significant legal and financial repercussions if the city broke the contract. Attorney Sandy Gomez from Husch Blackwell estimated the city could be liable for $800 million in damages. City officials also noted the data center is projected to become the city's largest taxpayer, contributing an estimated $15 million annually in city taxes.