EL PASO, TEXAS (KFOX14/CBS4) — El Paso City Council is set to begin discussions this week on a proposed policy framework aimed at setting clearer guidelines for future data center development in the city.
Council members are scheduled to take up the item Tuesday, which would authorize the city manager to develop a data center policy framework and return to council within 60 days with a proposal.
According to the agenda document, the goal of the framework is to create clear, consistent guidelines for how data centers are reviewed and approved, while evaluating long-term impacts on infrastructure, utilities and the community.
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City documents say the proposed policy framework includes multiple components. Among the areas being highlighted are infrastructure and utilities, land use and zoning, and local economic benefit.
One major component focuses on infrastructure and utilities. According to the document, the city would work with electric, water and gas utilities — along with El Paso County and regional government partners — to assess infrastructure capacity, long-term demand and system impacts associated with data center development.
Another part of the framework would address where data centers can be built. The proposal calls for clear zoning and land use rules that define where data centers are appropriate, ensure compatibility with surrounding areas and preserve flexibility for future community-serving development.
The framework also emphasizes local economic benefit. One section calls for a “Hire El Paso First” provision in certain applicable development agreements, prioritizing local hiring and partnerships with schools and workforce organizations to create training and career pathways for El Paso residents.
The discussion comes as data center development is already moving into the region, including Meta’s announced $1.5 billion artificial intelligence data center project planned for northeast El Paso.
If approved Tuesday, the city manager would have 60 days to return to City Council with a proposed data center policy framework, outlining findings, stakeholder input and implementation considerations.
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