EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14\/CBS4) \u2014 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\u2019s council meeting to make their voices heard.<\/p>\n
A group of residents and organizers met to go over the city\u2019s Meta agreement, ask questions and practice what they want to say during public comment.<\/p>\n
RELATED: El Paso officials say canceling Meta data center agreement could cost taxpayers millions<\/a><\/p>\n For many in the room, the focus was not just whether the item passes Tuesday, but whether council members are listening to the community\u2019s concerns.<\/p>\n \u201cEven 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,\u201d said Maggie Gannon, an El Paso resident.<\/p>\n Walli Haley, also an El Paso resident, said, \u201cThey need to be responsive to the will of the community, because we’re the voters who are responsible for them being in power.\u201d<\/p>\n The workshop was hosted by Amanecer People\u2019s Project, which has been organizing against the Meta data center and helping residents sign up for public comment. <\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cThere’s a lot of unanswered questions about how this was even allowed to happen that need to be answered,\u201d said Matthew Rodriguez, an organizer with Amanecer Peoples Project.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is not good or responsible economic development.\u201d<\/p>\n The organizing effort follows an item placed on council\u2019s Tuesday agenda that would have the city look at options for ending an incentive agreement tied to the Meta data center project.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Mayor Renard Johnson said he understands public concerns but believes terminating the agreement could put taxpayers at risk.<\/p>\n \u201cWe hear their concerns over the data centers that are coming into our community,\u201d Johnson said.<\/p>\n \u201cWe 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.\u201d<\/p>\n Some residents at the workshop said that is why they want city attorneys to review the contract closely before council makes any decision.<\/p>\n Others said their concerns go beyond the contract, pointing to water, electricity and the long-term impact of data centers in the region.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sure that there are challenges and potentially consequences, but in my opinion, the greater consequence would be running out of water,\u201d Gannon said.<\/p>\n Dr. David J. Garcia said, \u201cWater is life. Without water, there is no life. Not water for your pets, not water to take a shower, not water to drink.\u201d<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cThe city has given their word. We have a binding legal obligation. And we can’t go back on our word,\u201d Johnson said.<\/p>\n The item is expected to be discussed during City Council\u2019s next meeting Tuesday.<\/p>\n RELATED: Rep. Acevedo puts proposal to end El Paso incentive deal with Meta data center on agenda<\/a><\/p>\n