El Paso council to discuss options to end Meta data center incentive agreement Tuesday

EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) – As El Paso City Council prepares to discuss whether the city can get out of an agreement tied to the Meta data center project, some community members are organizing ahead of Tuesday’s council meeting to make their voices heard.

A group of residents and organizers met to go over the city’s Meta agreement, ask questions and practice what they want to say during public comment.

For many in the room, the focus was not just whether the item passes Tuesday, but whether council members are listening to the community’s concerns.

“Even if the amendment or the item doesn’t pass, I hope that the people of El Paso can see the impacts that we have when we organize and speak in one voice,” said Maggie Gannon, an El Paso resident.

Walli Haley, also an El Paso resident, said, “They need to be responsive to the will of the community, because we’re the voters who are responsible for them being in power.”

The workshop was hosted by Amanecer People’s Project, which has been organizing against the Meta data center and helping residents sign up for public comment.

Organizers said they want people to understand what is in the agreement, what the council can discuss on Tuesday, and what questions they believe still need answers.

“There’s a lot of unanswered questions about how this was even allowed to happen that need to be answered,” said Matthew Rodriguez, an organizer with Amanecer Peoples Project.

“This is not good or responsible economic development.”

The organizing effort follows an item placed on council’s Tuesday agenda that would have the city look at options for ending an incentive agreement tied to the Meta data center project.

But the agreement was already approved and signed in 2023, meaning the city would have to deal with legal and financial risks if it tries to get out of it.

Mayor Renard Johnson said he understands public concerns but believes terminating the agreement could put taxpayers at risk.

“We hear their concerns over the data centers that are coming into our community,” Johnson said.

“We have a binding agreement with this company, and to terminate it, we put the taxpayers at risk, and I’m not willing to take the risk.”

Some residents at the workshop said that is why they want city attorneys to review the contract closely before council makes any decision.

Others said their concerns go beyond the contract, pointing to water, electricity and the long-term impact of data centers in the region.

“I’m sure that there are challenges and potentially consequences, but in my opinion, the greater consequence would be running out of water,” Gannon said.

Dr. David J. Garcia said, “Water is life. Without water, there is no life. Not water for your pets, not water to take a shower, not water to drink.”

Johnson said council is already considering new rules to address those concerns for future data center projects, but said the Meta agreement is different because it is already in place and construction is underway.

“The city has given their word. We have a binding legal obligation. And we can’t go back on our word,” Johnson said.

The item is expected to be discussed during City Council’s next meeting Tuesday.

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