Representative Veronica Escobar (D-TX) continues to demand that Meta provide a clear answer on the impact of adding a new data center in El Paso.
On April 27, Rep. Escobar issued a letter, following up on her initial request from March, calling on the company to hold public listening sessions for El Pasoans on its new center. She stressed that the community should not be “left in the dark.”
“El Pasoans deserve clear, direct answers about how this new data center will impact their water and energy bills, cost of living, air quality and environment,” Rep. Escobar wrote.
Although Rep. Escobar said her office has requested further details from the company, no response has been given.
“Many questions remain unanswered, particularly regarding how Meta will meet its energy needs and fulfill its commitment to water restoration,” she wrote. “These are not abstract concerns – they affect families, neighborhoods and the future sustainability of our region.
As a result of this growing demand for transparency, Rep. Escobar said she has also submitted other requests for public listening sessions—one of which was with Army leadership over a proposed data center at Fort Bliss.
“That initial session provided El Pasoans, particularly those living closest to the project, an opportunity to ask questions, raise concerns and engage directly with decision makers,” she wrote.
Rep. Escobar said residents are overall concerned about how the data center could increase household utility costs and impact the local environment.
Last week, Texas Politics reported on a Subcommittee on Energy hearing in which Rep. Craig Goldman (R-TX) voiced a similar concern.
“Many of my constituents in Texas are concerned that their electric bills could rise because of the rapid growth of AI data centers,” Rep. Goldman said.
In this hearing, the subcommittee concluded that data centers should supplement the increased costs. However, Rep. Escobar said open communication will be crucial for these projects to move forward.
"El Pasoans must not be left in the dark about decisions that will shape their future. Building trust requires more than investment,” she wrote. “Rather, it requires transparency, engagement, and a willingness to listen.”
