EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14\/CBS4) \u2014 On Monday, the City of El Paso unanimously approved a “Data Center Policy Framework,” a document that will serve as a guide to review future data center proposals. <\/p>\n
This comes after, back in May, the City unveiled a draft of the document, which is intended to create a more transparent and accountable process for future data center development, with an emphasis on environmental sustainability, infrastructure protection, and long-term community impact.<\/p>\n
The framework recommends:<\/p>\n
Requiring future hyperscale data center applications to obtain a Special Permit, ensuring public notice, City Plan Commission review, and a public hearing and final action by City Council.Establishing environmental standards addressing water use, energy demand, wastewater, noise, lighting, and ecological impacts.Eliminating local economic incentives, consistent with previous City Council policy direction.Encouraging Community Benefit Agreements that provide measurable investments in local priorities.Expanding state and federal advocacy to strengthen utility ratepayer protections, improve transparency, and address the impacts of large-load facilities.<\/p>\n
Also, the framework recommends policies to enhance transparency, requiring future data centers to reveal parent-company commitments, as well as establish measures so that infrastructure costs are paid by the developers and don’t fall on customers.<\/p>\n
RELATED: City of El Paso releases draft policy framework to regulate future hyperscale data centers<\/a><\/p>\n The framework was put together with the help of community feedback gathered after six public meetings and an online survey with more than 800 participants. <\/p>\n According to the City, residents raised concerns about water consumption, electricity demand, environmental impacts, utility costs, land use, and the role of economic incentives tied to large-scale data center projects.<\/p>\n In a written statement, City Manager Dionne Mack said, “This framework reflects months of listening, public engagement, and careful policy development. It establishes clear expectations for future hyperscale data center projects while strengthening environmental protections, accountability, and public participation. Just as importantly, it gives the City a roadmap to continue adapting its policies as technology, regulations, and community priorities evolve, ensuring future decisions protect El Paso’s residents, infrastructure, natural resources, and ratepayers.”<\/p>\n Attached is the Data Center Policy Framework:<\/p>\n RECOMMENDED: Key hearing begins on El Paso Electric gas plant proposal for Meta data center<\/a><\/p>\n