Editor\u2019s Note: This is the first part of a three-part series on the\u00a0impact of proposed data centers in El Paso.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
On Feb. 12 at a community meeting, El Paso residents voiced concerns over water usage and rising electricity costs regarding the proposed data centers in El Paso.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The\u00a0Amanecer People\u2019s Project\u00a0hosted a meeting\u00a0aimed\u00a0at informing\u00a0the public about how large-scale data centers\u00a0operate\u00a0and\u00a0their\u00a0potential\u00a0long-term impact\u00a0on a desert community already facing water scarcity and infrastructure strain. As tech companies expand operations\u00a0nationwide, El Paso has become part of that conversation, raising questions about sustainability,\u00a0affordability\u00a0and transparency.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Data centers are large warehouse-style facilities filled with rows of high-powered computers that store and process digital information\u00a024 hours a day\u00a0and\u00a0require\u00a0substantial amounts of electricity and water, primarily for cooling systems.\u00a0<\/p>\n
According to a report by\u00a0El Paso Matters<\/a>, the proposed Meta data center in Northeast El Paso could use up to\u00a0750,000 gallons\u00a0of potable water per day, with permits allowing usage to increase to as much as\u00a01.5 million gallons\u00a0daily if fully built out. In a region where water conservation is a constant concern, that figure has drawn scrutiny from\u00a0many\u00a0residents.\u00a0<\/p>\n Matthew Rodriguez, an organizer with Amanecer People\u2019s Project, said water use is the issue that resonates most strongly with community members.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cNumber one is the water use\u2026 it\u2019s not comparable to any other industry,\u201d\u00a0Matthew\u00a0Rodriguez said. \u201cAnd when people hear about the power plants, that\u2019s really shocking.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Matthew\u00a0Rodriguez described data centers as massive facilities operating nonstop.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s\u00a0rows and rows and rows of computers\u2026 24\/7,\u00a0very complex\u00a0computing.\u00a0That\u2019s\u00a0why it requires so much energy,\u201d\u00a0Matthew\u00a0Rodriguez said.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Energy costs are another point of concern.\u00a0A\u00a0Bloomberg<\/a>\u00a0analysis found that in areas near major U.S. data center developments, wholesale electricity prices have risen\u00a0as much as 267% over the past five years. While electricity markets vary by region, residents worry that increased demand could eventually translate into higher utility bills locally.\u00a0<\/p>\n For Diana Rodriguez, the issue is\u00a0personal.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re\u00a0already a water-scarce community, and\u00a0it\u2019s\u00a0gonna\u00a0impact\u00a0our accessibility to water,\u201d\u00a0Diana\u00a0Rodriguez. \u201cI don\u2019t know that the desert Southwest is\u00a0gonna\u00a0be a place where I want my kids to grow up.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Others\u00a0like Abby\u00a0Minor,\u00a0shared\u00a0concerns about long-term sustainability and public health.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m\u00a0a parent.\u00a0I want my child and the future of all El Pasoans to be safe and healthy, and bright,\u201d Minor said.\u00a0\u201cI\u2019m\u00a0concerned that this kind of development does not support the community.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Beyond environmental impacts, some residents questioned whether tax incentives offered to large technology companies could shift infrastructure costs onto taxpayers.\u00a0Matthew\u00a0Rodriguez said when companies receive significant tax breaks, residents may\u00a0ultimately shoulder\u00a0the financial burden for\u00a0maintaining\u00a0roads,\u00a0utilities\u00a0and public services.\u00a0<\/p>\n